Hidronefrosis como manifestación inusual y distractora en el diagnóstico de una vasculitis ANCA positiva. A propósito de un caso / Hydronephrosis as an unusual and distracting manifestation in the diagnosis of ANCA-positive vasculitis. About a case

La nefropatía obstructiva se considera una manifestación inusual en las vasculitis ANCA. Se presenta el caso de un masculino de 38 años, con granulomatosis con poliangitis e hidronefrosis unilateral, y revisión de la literatura. Masculino de 38 años, sano, quien consulta por cuadro subagudo de odinofagia, síntomas constitucionales y lesión renal aguda anúrica. Inicialmente con hallazgo de hidronefrosis izquierda, manejado como nefropatía obstructiva, que eventualmente desarrolla hemorragia alveolar difusa, distrés respiratorio y fallece debido a un síndrome de distrés respiratorio agudo severo refractario asociado a su granulomatosis con poliangitis. La nefropatía obstructiva es una manifestación inusual de las vasculitis ANCA asociadas. Es importante la sospecha diagnóstica en estos cuadros multisistémicos para no dilatar el tratamiento inmunosupresor conjunto con el resto de las terapias requeridas.

Obstructive nephropathy is considered an unusual presentation in ANCA-associated vasculitis. The following case describes a 38-year-old male with granulomatosis with polyangiitis and unilateral hydronephrosis, as well as a literature review. A 38-year-old male with an unremarkable medical background presents with a 3-week history of odynophagia, constitutional symptoms and anuric kidney injury. Initially managed as an obstructive nephropathy due to a left hydronephrosis finding, the patient eventually develops a diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, acute respiratory distress and perishes due to granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Obstructive nephropathy is an unusual manifestation of ANCA-associated vasculitis. Diagnostic suspicion is important in these multisystem pictures so as not to delay immunosuppressive treatment together with the rest of the required therapies.

Organizing Pneumonia in A Patient Double-Positive for ANCA and Anti-GBM Antibodies: A Case Report / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

Both anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease and the anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) are common causes of pulmonary-renal syndrome. Organizing pneumonia (OP), a special pattern of interstitial lung disease, is extremely rare either in AAV or anti-GBM disease. We report an old woman presented with OP on a background of co-presentation with both ANCA and anti-GBM antibodies.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 inactivated vaccine in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis: Immunogenicity, safety, antibody decay and the booster dose

Abstract Objective: To evaluate inactivated CoronaVac prime vaccination, antibody decay, booster dose, and safety in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis (AAV) patients. Methods: Fifty-three AAV patients and 106 Controls (CG) received CoronaVac on days: D0 (first dose), D28(second dose), and D210 (booster dose, 32 AAV: 32 CG). The primary outcome was immunogenicity after the second vaccine dose (day 69) assessed by Seroconversion Rates (SC) of anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG and Neutralizing Antibodies (NAb). Secondary outcomes were safety, immunogenicity (D28/D240), 6-months antibody decay (D210) and the booster dose response (D240). Results: At D69 SC (65.1% vs. 96.8%, p = 0.0001), GMT (21.3 UA/mL vs. 67.7 UA/mL, p < 0.001) and NAb- positivity (53.7% vs. 80.6%, p = 0.001) were moderate but lower in naïve-AAV patients than CG. Patients without SC used more often IS (93.3% vs. 53.3%, p = 0.015), mycophenolate mofetil (20% vs. 0%, p = 0.037) and prednisone (60.0% vs. 28.6%, p = 0.057) than seroconverted. NAb negativity in AAV patients was associated with prednisone treatment (57.9% vs. 18.2%, p = 0.015) and IS (84.2% vs. 55.0%, p = 0.046). Logistic regression analysis models showed that only prednisone was associated with lower seroconversion (OR = 0.2, 0,95% CI 0.05-0.86, p = 0.030) and with lower NAb positivity (OR = 0.2, 0,95% CI 0.05-0.88, p = 0.034). After six months (D69-D210) a decrease in IgG positivity occurred in 32 AAV patients (15.7%, p = 0.074) and 32 CG (18.7%, p = 0.041). For the NAb positivity, the 6-month decrease was not significant (p = 0.114) whereas a major reduction occurred for CG (p < 0.001). A booster dose (D240) resulted in an increment in IgG-positivity (21.9%, p = 0.023) and NAb-positivity (34.4%, p = 0.006) in AAV patients. No moderate/severe adverse events attributable to the vaccine were observed. Conclusion: This study provides novel data on the excellent safety and moderate immunogenicity of CoronaVac in AAV patients. A six-month mild antibody waning was observed with a good response to the booster dose, although levels remained lower than CG (CoronavRheum-NCT04754698).

Improvement of indirect immunofluorescence technique to detect antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies and its impact on test positivity rate

The indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) technique for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) detection is subject to substantial differences across laboratories. This study aimed to assess the impact of improvements in the IIF-ANCA technique on the positivity rate of ANCA tests. A cross-sectional study was performed with serum samples from patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), and ulcerative colitis (UC). A paired analysis was performed for IIF-ANCA results using the traditional method and a modified protocol after a series of specific adjustments in the technique based on the protocol of IIF-ANCA test performed at a nation-wide private laboratory in Brazil. ANCA specificity was assessed by ELISA for anti-proteinase 3 (PR3) and anti-myeloperoxidase (MPO) antibodies. Sixty-one patients were evaluated. The positivity rate of IIF-ANCA tests at disease presentation performed at the University reference laboratory was 32.3% in AAV, AIH, and UC patients, whereas the positivity rates of IIF-ANCA and ELISA tests in other laboratories were 75.0 and 72.7%, respectively. After modifications in the IIF-ANCA technique, there was a significant increase in the positivity rate (14.8 vs 34.3%; P=0.0002) and in median titers [1/40 (1/30-1/160) vs 1/80 (1/40-1/80); P=0.0003] in AAV, AIH, and UC patients. UC had the highest increment in positive results from 5.3 to 36.8%. There was poor agreement between MPO- or PR3-ANCA and both IIF-ANCA techniques. In conclusion, modifications in the IIF-ANCA protocol led to a significant improvement in its positivity rate and titers.

Three years follow-up report of two diffuse connective tissue disease cases caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: To report on two patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) combined with diffuse connective tissue disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection followed for nearly 3 years, in order to understand the long-term effects on the patients' immune system. Both patients were male, aged 81-82 years, and were hospitalized with fever on January 29, 2020 and February 10, 2020, respectively. Both were diagnosed with COVID-19 after positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. After receiving anti-infection treatment, cough suppressants, ex‐pectorants, and symptomatic supportive treatment, their body temperature returned to normal and two consecutive PCR tests were negative for SARS-CoV-2, and they were discharged from hospital. However, due to recurring fevers and varying degrees of rheumatic disease-related symptoms, both patients were readmitted to the hospital, indicating the presence of positive auto‐ antibodies and organ involvement. One patient recovered from COVID-19 with recurrent fever, joint pain, muscle aches and subcutaneous nodules, and was subsequently diagnosed with undifferentiated connective tissue disease. The other patient developed recurrent fever, mouth ulcers and rash after recovery from COVID-19 and was subsequently diagnosed with anti neutro phil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). The patient was treated with glucocorticoids and immunosuppres sive drugs and the symptoms resolved rapidly and subsequent laboratory and imaging examinations showed stable condition. However, due to self-termination of medication, their symptoms quickly relapsed, and further treatment with glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive agents resulted in sustained stability of their condition. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and hyper‐sensitive C-reactive protein remained within normal limits, and lung CT scans showed stable lesions with partial absorption.SARS-CoV-2 infection may have long-term effects on patients' immune systems, leading to abnormal immune responses and diffuse connective tissue disease. This suggests that regular follow-up observation of immune system-related diseases may be necessary for elderly patients with COVID-19.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis: A case report of early systemic fulminant presentation

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is a systemic vasculitis that affects medium and small vessels, with high expression of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody. A case is pre sented on a patient with an initial compromise of the lower airway, who did not respond to management, required intensive care unit management, and died due to severe diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. His definitive diagnosis was established with a clinical autopsy. Gran-ulomatosis with polyangiitis is a disease with different ways of presentation, and can have fatal outcomes if it is not diagnosed early.

La granulomatosis con poliangeítis es un tipo de vasculitis que afecta a vasos de mediano y pequeño calibre de manera sistémica, con una alta expresión de anticuerpos contra el citoplasma del neutrófilo. Se presenta el caso de un paciente con un compromiso inicial de la vía área inferior, que no respondió al tratamiento y requirió manejo en unidad de cuidados intensivos. Finalmente, falleció por una hemorragia alveolar difusa severa. Su diagnóstico definitivo se estableció con una autopsia clínica. La granulomatosis con poliangeítis tiene diferentes formas de presentación y puede tener desenlaces fatales si no se diagnostica a tiempo.

Clinical characteristics and prognostic factors in an argentinian cohort with ANCA-associated vasculitis / Características clínicas y factores pronósticos en una cohorte argentina de vasculitis asociada a ANCA

Abstract ANCA-associated vasculitis is a heterogeneous group of rare autoimmune conditions of unknown cause. Clinical characteristics and prognostic factors were analyzed in 47 patients: 20 (42.5%) with granulomatosis with polyangiitis, 17 (36.2%) with microscopic polyangiitis, 6 (12.8%) with renal-limited vasculitis, and 4 (8.5%) with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Mean age at diagnosis was 53.5 ± 16.5 years and the median of BVAS (Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score) was 14 (4-42). The most frequent clinical manifesta tions were: general in 44 (93.6%), renal in 30 (63.8%) and respiratory in 28 (59.6%). All received corticosteroids at the beginning of treatment. Intravenous cyclophosphamide was associated in 20 (42.5%) and oral route in 14 (29.8%); azathioprine in 3 (6.4%) and rituximab in 2 (4.2%). At a median follow-up of 35.5 months (range 0.14- 234), 21 relapses were recorded in 14 patients. Overall mortality was 3.5 deaths per 100 patient-year in the whole group. Those over 55 years old, the presence of alveolar hemorrhage, those with FFS (Five Factor Score) of 2, and patients with MPA had poor prognosis. Renal involvement, ANCA pattern and BVAS were not associated to a poorer prognosis.

Resumen Las vasculitis asociadas a ANCA son un grupo heterogéneo de entidades autoinmunes, poco frecuentes, de etiología desconocida. Analizamos las características clínicas y factores pronóstico en 47 pacientes: 20 (42.5%) granulomatosis con poliangeítis, 17 (36.2%) poliangeítis microscópica, 6 (12.8%) vasculitis limitada al riñón y 4 (8.5%) granulomatosis eosinofílica con poliangeítis. La edad promedio al diagnóstico fue 53.5 ± 16.5 años y la mediana de BVAS (Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score) 14 (4-42). Las manifestaciones clínicas más frecuentes fueron: generales en 44 (93.6%), renales 30 (63.8%) y respiratorias en 28 (59.6%). Todos recibieron corticoides al inicio del tratamiento. Se asoció ciclofosfamida endovenosa en 20 (42.5%) y oral en 14 (29.8%); azatioprina en 3 (6.4%) y rituximab en 2 (4.2%). En una mediana de seguimiento de 35.5 meses (rango 0.14-234), se registraron 21 recaídas en 14 pacientes. La mortalidad fue 3.5 por cien pacientes-año en todo el grupo. Los mayores de 55 años, con presencia de hemorragia alveolar, FFS (Five Factor Score) de 2, y los casos con poliangeítis microscópica tuvieron peor pronóstico. El compromiso renal, el patrón de ANCA y el BVAS no se asociaron a peor pronóstico.

Vasculitis asociada a anticuerpos anticitoplasma de neutrófilos: poliangeítis microscópica / Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody Associated Vasculitis: Microscopic Polyangiitis

La poliangeítis microscópica se define como una enfermedad autoinmune, multisistémica, de rara incidencia, asociada a anticuerpos anticitoplasma de neutrófilos. Se caracteriza por presentar vasculitis necrotizante de pequeños vasos, no granulomatosa y ausencia de depósito de inmunocomplejos, que afecta predominantemente el tejido renal, pulmonar y cutáneo. Se presenta un paciente masculino, 49 años, sin antecedentes patológicos. Presenta cuadro clínico de 30 días de evolución con tos seca de tipo irritativa, que evoluciona a tos productiva, hemoptisis, disnea de moderado esfuerzo, astenia y edema con fóvea en zonas en declive. Tenía anemia grave y los estudios imagenológicos de tórax evidenciaron infiltrados difusos con aspecto de vidrio deslustrado. Se inició terapia inmunosupresora con metilprednisolona y ciclofosfamida y profilaxis antibiótica. Se obtuvo una disminución en el puntaje de la escala de actividad vasculítica y la posterior remisión; sin embargo, debido al daño tisular renal, no hubo mejoría en la tasa de filtrado glomerular, por lo que el paciente se mantiene en terapia de sustitución renal permanente. Es trascendental el conocimiento de las manifestaciones clínicas, procedimiento diagnóstico y tratamiento de esta enfermedad, ya que, a pesar de su rara incidencia, posee una llamativa morbimortalidad que puede modificarse significativamente con un diagnóstico y tratamiento oportunos(AU)

Microscopic Polyangiitis is defined as an autoimmune, multisystemic, low prevalence disease, associated to antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody. Characterized by necrotizing vasculitis of small vessels, with no granulomatous inflammation and absence of immune complex deposits, predominantly affecting renal, pulmonary and cutaneous tissue. 49-year old male patient with no past medical history. Refers symptomatology that started thirty days ago, characterized by dry cough, that evolves to productive cough, hemoptysis, exertional dyspnea, asthenia and pitting edema. Laboratory tests show severe anemia, glomerular filtration rate of 6.9 ml/min/1.73m2, hematuria, proteinuria, positive presence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies and anti-myeloperoxidase antibodies, additional thoracic imaging shows ground glass opacities consolidations. Immunosuppressive therapy is started with Methylprednisolone and Cyclophosphamide along with antibiotic prophylaxis, resulting in a decrease in the vasculitis activity score with subsequent remission; however due to renal tissue damage, there is no improvement in the glomerular filtration rate and the patient continues receiving renal replacement therapy. Due to its striking morbidity and mortality, we consider of great importance the knowledge of its clinical presentation, diagnostic procedures and treatment, in order to obtain a positive impact on the patient's quality of life and survival rate(AU)

Recent advances in role of monocyte-macrophage in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody associated vasculitis / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis (AAV) constitues a group of autoimmune diseases with poor prognosis. Inflammation and fibrinoid necrosis of the small vessels are the pathological features of the disease, and many organs and systems can be involved. Monocyte-macrophages are important to innate immune system. Monocyte-macrophage can respond rapidly to inflammation and participate in the progression of AAV. Recently, the role of monocyte-macrophage in AAV has been studied with great detail. This article reviews recent research progress of monocyte-macrophage in AAV so as to further understand the disease.

Microscopic polyangiitis associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage / Journal of Rural Medicine

Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), an anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, is a systemic disease that damages all organs through predominantly affecting small vessels. However, few cases of MPA are related to aneurysms on medium-sized muscular vessels, and whether subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is associated with MPA is still unclear. An 85-year-old woman with rapid progressive glomerular nephritis caused by MPA complained of sudden severe headache due to SAH 2 days after admission and subsequently underwent surgery. Cerebrovascular disease occurring simultaneously with MPA might result in poor prognosis, and the complications exacerbate the condition and lead to high mortality; thus, physicians should pay more attention to cerebral aneurysms concurrent with MPA. Among patients with MPA, it is important to identify priority cases and investigate the intracranial vessel environment. To the best of our knowledge, this is a rare report about SAH associated with MPA. We recommend that the presence of cerebrovascular disease should be considered in patients with MPA to improve their prognosis.

Controlling Nutritional Status Score is Associated with All-Cause Mortality in Patients with Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis

PURPOSE: The controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score was developed to detect undernutrition in patients. Here, we investigated whether the CONUT score estimated at diagnosis could help predict poor outcomes [all-cause mortality, relapse, and end-stage renal disease (ESRD)] of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed and collated data, including baseline characteristics, clinical manifestations (to calculate AAV-specific indices), and laboratory results, from 196 newly diagnosed AAV patients. Serum albumin, peripheral lymphocyte, and total cholesterol levels (at diagnosis) were used to calculate CONUT scores. RESULTS: In total, 111 patients had high CONUT scores (≥3), which showed higher frequency of myeloperoxidase-ANCA and ANCA positivity, and demonstrated higher AAV-specific indices. The optimal cut-offs of CONUT score (at diagnosis) for predicting all-cause mortality and ESRD were ≥3.5 and ≥2.5, respectively. Patients with CONUT scores higher than the cut-off at diagnosis exhibited lower cumulative and ESRD-free survival rates compared to those with lower scores than the cut-off. In multivariable analyses, diabetes mellitus [hazard ratio (HR): 4.394], five-factor score (HR: 3.051), and CONUT score ≥3.5 (HR: 4.307) at diagnosis were independent predictors of all-cause mortality, while only serum creatinine (HR: 1.714) was an independent predictor of ESRD occurrence. CONCLUSION: CONUT score at diagnosis is associated with all-cause mortality in AAV patients.

A preliminary study on the change and significance of CD35 expression on the neutrophils of per-ipheral blood from patient with myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody associated vas culitis / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective To investigate the change of CD35 expression on neutrophils in the peripheral blood and the relationship between the change and disease activity in patient with myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (MPO-AAV).Methods Forty untreated patients with active MPO-AAV(patient group)and forty healthy volunteers (control group) were enrolled into this study,and Bermingham vasculitis activity score (BVAS) for every patient was recorded.Flow cytometry (FCM) was employed to detect the CD35 and MPO expression on the neurtrophil,and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was taken to test the levels of autoantibody against MPO-Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA),fragment a from the activated complement factor B (Ba) and MPO in peripheral blood from both group.All test results were compared between the 2 groups by t test,Non-parametric test,Spearman correlation analysis.In addition,the relations among the laboratory results and the relationship between BVAS and the laboratory results were analyzed respectively.Results Compared with the control group,the expression level,which was represented as mean flourscence indensity (MFI),of CD35 and neutrophil membrane MPO on peripheral blood neutrophils was significantly increased [(2 014±968) vs (1 454±511),t=3.024,P=0.002 and (709±244) vs (580±158),t=2.806,P＜0.01,respectively],and the MPO expression level in neutrophils was significantly lower [(1 525±1 033) vs (3 196±2 126),t=-4.468,P＜0.01].Ba and MPO levels in serum of the patient group was significantly higher than that in the control group [37.89(26.17,63.14) μg/L vs 27.99(18.64,46.52) μg/L,Z=-2.521,P=0.012 and 546.16(450.55,729.96) U/L vs 327.93(279.02,365.10) U/L,Z=7.121,P＜0.01,respectively].In patient group,the expression level of CD35 had a significant positive relationship with peripheral blood neutrophil count (r=0.573,P＜0.01),serum Ba (r=0.433,P=0.005) and BVAS (r=0.368,P=0.020),respectively,whereas,there was a negative correlation between the MPO expressed on the neutrophils and that in the neutrophils (r=-0.458,P=0.003),and a positive relationship between MPO-ANCA and BVAS (r=0.351,P=0.026).Conclusion There is significant increased expression of CD35 on the neutrophil of patient with MPO-AAV,which might protect the neutrophil from destruction by the activated complement alternative pathway,and more neutrophils consequently contribute to the MPO-AAV pathogenesis.Inhibition of CD35 expression might become one of the potential new pathways for the treatment of MPO-AAV.

Methimazole-Induced Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis in the Peripheral Nerves

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis has been reported in Graves' disease patients treated with antithyroid drugs (ATDs), especially propylthiouracil. ATD-induced ANCA-associated vasculitis usually involved the kidneys followed by the respiratory organs and skin. The treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis induced by ATDs is to stop ATD therapy immediately, which often leads to an overall good prognosis. We report a case of ANCA-associated vasculitis in the peripheral nerves of the lower extremities in a 66-year-old woman who was treated with methimazole (MMI) for Graves' disease. To our knowledge, this is the third case of peripheral nervous system (PNS) involvement of ATD-induced vasculitis and the first case of PNS vasculitis associated with MMI.

Red Blood Cell Distribution Width Can Predict Vasculitis Activity and Poor Prognosis in Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis

PURPOSE: We investigated whether red blood cell distribution width (RDW) predicts vasculitis activity based on Birmingham vasculitis activity score (BVAS) or BVAS for granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) at diagnosis and poor prognosis during follow-up in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 150 patients with AAV. We defined severe GPA as BVAS for GPA ≥7 (the highest quartile). Correlation and standardised correlation coefficients were analysed by linear regression tests. The differences between groups were evaluated by Mann-Whitney test. Relative risk (RR) was assessed by chi square test and Cox hazards model. RESULTS: RDW was correlated only with the vasculitis activity of GPA among patients with AAV. An increase in RDW was associated with the absence of ear nose throat (ENT) manifestation, but not proteinase 3-ANCA. Significant differences were noted in cumulative refractory free survival according to RDW ≥15.4% (p=0.007) and the absence of ENT manifestation (p=0.036). Multivariate Cox hazards analysis identified RDW ≥15.4% as the only significant predictor of refractory disease in GPA (RR 17.573). CONCLUSION: RDW predicts vasculitis activity in GPA, and RDW ≥15.4% at diagnosis may increase the risk of severe GPA at diagnosis and predict refractory diseases during follow-up.

Severe microscopic polyangiitis with unilateral vocal cord paralysis as initial manifestation / Parálisis unilateral de cuerda vocal como manifestación inicial de poliangitis microscópica grave

Abstract Case Description: A 16 year-old female who presented with initial ear, nose and throat manifestations who later progressed to severe renal disease, requiring hemodialysis after 11 months of unique laryngeal involvement. Clinical Findings: Unilateral vocal cord paralysis without other symptoms or signs, but with positive perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) and anti-myeloperoxidase autoantibodies, followed an unfavorable course months later with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Renal biopsy confirmed an ANCA-associated vasculitis. She was diagnosed with microscopic polyangiitis. Treatment and Outcome: High-dose glucocorticoids, intravenous cyclophosphamide, plasma exchange and finally, hemodialysis and renal transplantation. Clinical Relevance: In contrast to granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener), ear, nose and throat manifestations in microscopic polyangiitis are uncommon, while involvement of the lungs and kidneys are usual. We present a case with an isolated rare involvement, which progressed to severe disease. This atypical case warns about laryngeal symptoms as initial manifestation of an anti-myeloperoxidase positive systemic vasculitides, and emphasizes the relevance of close observation when unexplained isolated conditions with accompanying evidence of autoimmunity, in this case high levels of specific autoantibodies, are present.

Resumen Descripción del caso: Una mujer de 16 años se presentó inicialmente con manifestaciones otorrinolaringológicas y posteriormente progresó hacia enfermedad renal grave, requiriendo hemodiálisis después de 11 meses de tener exclusivamente afección laríngea. Hallazgos clínicos: parálisis de cuerda vocal unilateral sin otros síntomas ni signos, pero con autoanticuerpos anticitoplasma de neutrófilo (ANCA) con patrón perinuclear y especificidad contra mieloperoxidasa, siguiendo un curso desfavorable meses después con desarrollo de glomerulonefritis rápidamente progresiva. La biopsia renal confirmó una vasculitis asociada con ANCA (VAA). Se diagnosticó entonces como poliangitis microscópica. Tratamiento y desenlace: Glucocorticoides a dosis altas, ciclofosfamida endovenosa, recambio plasmático y finalmente, hemodiálisis y transplante renal. Relevancia clínica: en contraste con la granulomatosis con poliangitis (Wegener), las manifestaciones otorrinolaringológicas en poliangitis microscópica son poco comunes, mientras que la afección pulmonar y renal es común. Presentamos un caso con afección inusual aislaea, que progresó a enfermedad grave. Este caso atípico enfatiza sobre los síntomas laríngeos como manifestación inicial de una vasculitis antimieloperoxidasa positiva, y subraya la relevancia de una estrecha observación cuando condiciones aisladas inexplicables, que como en este caso se acompañan de evidencia de autoinmunidad manifestado por presencia de niveles altos de autoanticuerpos, se presentan para su atención.

Recommendations of the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology for the induction therapy of ANCA-associated vasculitis / Recomendações da Sociedade Brasileira de Reumatologia para a terapia de indução para vasculite associada a ANCA

Abstract The purpose of these recommendations is to guide the appropriate induction treatment of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) patients with active disease. The recommendations proposed by the Vasculopathies Committee of the Brazilian Society Rheumatology for induction therapy of AAV, including granulomatosis with polyangiitis, microscopic polyangiitis and renal-limited vasculitis, were based on systematic literature review and expert opinion. Literature review was performed using Medline (PubMed), EMBASE and Cochrane database to retrieve articles until October 2016. PRISMA guidelines were used for the systematic review and articles were assessed according to the Oxford levels of evidence. Sixteen recommendations were made regarding different aspects of induction therapy for AAV. The purpose of these recommendations is to serve as a guide for therapeutic decisions by health care professionals in the management of AAV patients presenting active disease.

Resumo O objetivo destas recomendações é orientar o tratamento apropriado de indução em pacientes com vasculite associada a anticorpos anticitoplasma de neutrófilos (VAA) ativa. As recomendações propostas pelo Comitê de Vasculopatias da Sociedade Brasileira de Reumatologia para a terapia de indução para vasculites associadas aos anticorpos anticitoplasma de neutrófilos (VAA), inclusive granulomatose com poliangiite, poliangiite microscópica e vasculite limitada ao rim, foram baseadas em uma revisão sistemática da literatura e na opinião de especialistas. A revisão da literatura foi feita com as bases de dados Medline (PubMed), Embase e Cochrane para consultar artigos até outubro de 2016. As diretrizes Prisma (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses - Principais itens para reportar revisões sistemáticas e metanálises) foram usadas para a revisão sistemática e os artigos foram avaliados de acordo com os níveis de evidência Oxford. Dezesseis recomendações foram feitas em relação a diferentes aspectos da terapia de indução para VAA. O objetivo dessas recomendações é servir como um guia para decisões terapêuticas por profissionais da saúde no tratamento de pacientes com VAA que apresentem a doença ativa.

Pulmonary imaging findings of ANCA-associated vasculitis and its clinical characteristics / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the pulmonary imaging findings and the clinical characteristics of ANCA-associated vasculitis.Methods 16 patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis confirmed by pathology in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively,all patients underwent 1 6-sclice high resolution chest CT scans.The clinical manifestations and lung CT findings of the patients were analyzed.Results The mean age of 1 6 patients (7 male and 9 female)was 62.7 (ranged from 56 to 83).The onset time of the disease was ranged for 1 weeks to 2 years,and it was characterized as multiple organs involvement accompanied by kidney damage with different degrees.The clinical respiratory symptoms inluded fever and cough.The lung HRCT features of ANCA-associated vasculitis were as follows:patchy shadow in 14 cases (87.5%),streak one in 12 (75%),nodular one in 3 (18.8%),cavities in 4 (25%),emphysema and pulmonary bullae in 6 (37.5%),tree-in-bud in 6 (37.5%),pleural effusion in 4 (25%),mediastinal lymph nodes enlargement in 3 (18.8%), pleural thickening in 6 (37.5%),cellular-like in 5 (31.3%),bronchiectasis in 6 (37.5%),round-glass opacity in 10 (62.5%)and reticulate changes in 8 (50%).Some patients were treated by the glucocorticoid (a hormone steroid)or by it in combination with immunosuppressant, and the clinical symptoms were improved and some lesions on X-ray images were significantly reduced or disappeared.Conclusion ANCA-associated vasculitis usually occurs in the majority of middle or old age without gender difference.Multiple organs are easily involved and the lesions in lung may be misdiagnosed as infection.Early CT diagnosis and timely treatment may improve the prognosis.

Key advances in the clinical studies of ANCA-associated vasculitis / 医学研究生学报

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies( ANCA)-associated vasculitis ( AAV) has various clinical symptoms, thus various treatment schemes were used in clinics.To date, there has been no validated diagnostic criteria or treatment guideline for AAV.There are three aspects to be considered when assessing the treatment with AAV patients:staging of disease, distinction between disease activity and chronic damages, and quality of life ( QOL) .This review focuses on the latest classification of vasculitis, the rela-tion between disease stages and its severity, the importance of distinguishing active diseases from permanent damages, the therapeutic choices and the management of complications.

Investigation on the serum marker of MPO-ANCA associated vasculitis in active phase / 医学研究生学报

Objective Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis(AAV)is a systemic necrotizing small-vessel vasculitis, and myeloperoxidase(MPO) is one of the main antigens that ANCA can recognize.This study was to investigate the clinical significance of MPO, activated complement C5a fragment and ceruloplasmin ( Cp) in the peripheral blood of patients with MPO-ANCA associated vasculitis ( MPO-AAV) in active phase by observing their changes. Methods 132 MPO-AAV patients at active stage were selected as the patient group, while the control group was made up of 30 healthy controls.Peri-nuclear ANCA (p-ANCA) and MPO-ANCA in the patient group were detected by IIF and ELISA, respectively.The levels of MPO, Cp and C5a in both groups were tested by ELISA.The Birmingham vasculitis activity score (BVAS) of every patient was calculated.In the patient group, the relationship among MPO, Cp, C5a and MPO-ANCA were analysed, and the association between BVAS and each of them was also explored. Results The levels of MPO, CP, C5a in the patient group were significantly higher than those in the health control group [MPO:400.7(333.5~506.1) vs 286.9(225.5~329.1)IU/L, P<0.001;C5a:336.7 (277.6~403.5) vs 236.8 (204.2~304.1) ng/mL, P<0.001;Cp:481.1 (387.9~535.9) vs 326.9 (177.1~405.5) ng/mL,P<0.001].The associations between MPO and Cp, C5a and MPO, C5a and Cp in the patient group were statistically significant ( r=0.663, P<0.001;r=0.792, P<0.001;r=0.637, P<0.001, respectively).No significant correlation was found in MPO-ANCA and any of these indexes.MPO-ANCA had a positive association with the total BVAS, the kidney BVAS, and the lung BVAS ( r=0.247, P=0.004;r=0.339,P<0.001 and r=0.191, P=0.028, respec-tively) .p-ANCA had a positive correlation with the kidney BVAS ( r=0.208, P=0.017) while C5a had a negative correlation with the kidney BVAS ( r=-0.207, P=0.018) . Conclusion The levels of MPO, Cp and C5a increased significantly in the peripheral blood of MPO-AAV patients in active phase.The complex interactions among MPO, Cp, C5a and ANCA might influence the clinical damage in MPO-AAV.Notablely, the influence from MPO-ANCA might be most obvious while C5a might affect renal damage more markedly.

Chronically Elevated Myeloperoxidase Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody Levels in an Asymptomatic 91-year-old Patient / General Medicine

Myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA) associated glomerulonephritis is commonly diagnosed in elderly patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). Prompt diagnosis and rapid initiation of appropriate therapy are essential to avoid the development of ANCA-associated vasculitis, which can be a life- and organ-threatening disease. We report a rare case of a 91-year-old male with a high MPO-ANCA titer, who took allopurinol, and showed no symptoms for >20 months, following which sudden AKI and severe bronchial asthma necessitated hemodialysis and steroid administration. Chronically elevated ANCA titers should be examined for causes and followed up to limit the risk of subsequent disease development.