Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies-associated glomerulonephritis in human immunodeficiency virus infection: a case report and literature review / 中华肾脏病杂志

ABSTRACT

Anti neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a systemic disease characterized by small vessel wall inflammation and cellulose necrosis mediated by ANCA. Renal injury caused by AAV is called ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis (AAGN). The paper reported a case of AAV with renal damage combined with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The patient was an elderly male with clinical manifestations of hematuria and uremia. Renal pathological examination showed AAV and renal injury. This case is the first report in China while reviewing the relevant literature, and it is still inconclusive whether this is an overlap of the two diseases or a specific pathological type of HIV-associated nephritis. We believe that AAV has the potential to occur in HIV-infected patients, so clinicians should not ignore the phenomenon of ANCA positivity in HIV-infected patients, and the follow-up of such patients needs to be enhanced. Clinical and renal pathological examinations are the main methods to diagnose HIV infection with AAV. At the same time, there are no clear guideline guidelines on how to administer immunosuppressive therapy for such patients who have immunodeficiency and are at higher risk of opportunistic infections, and in whom to make the best possible outcomes.