Author Archives: Alejandra Viviescas, PhD.

ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) can cause recurrent bleeding in the lungs, which manifest as hemosiderosis — an excessive accumulation of iron deposits in tissues — and lung nodules, a case report suggests. The study, “Pathological and Radiological Correlation in Prolonged Myeloperoxidase Anti-neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-related Diffuse Alveolar Hemosiderosis,”…

Adding methylprednisolone pulse therapy to standard induction therapy does not appear to have any particular benefit for people with severe ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) who need dialysis, a study suggests. The study, “The effect of pulse methylprednisolone induction therapy in Chinese patients with dialysis-dependent MPO-ANCA associated…

Different autoimmune pathways — which determine how autoantibodies affect the body — might be involved in cases of lupus nephritis that are positive for ANCAs, leading to unusual kidney symptoms, a case report suggests. The study “Clinico-pathological considerations in a 48-years-old female with acute kidney injury: is…

Doctors should suspect granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) in cases of isolated, acute sinusitis that does not improve with treatment, especially in young patients, a case report suggests. The study, “Very painful acute frontal sinusitis revealing granulomatosis with polyangiitis,” was published in the journal European Annals…

Researchers have developed a specific index for ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) that uses laboratory results at the time of diagnosis to help assess disease activity and predict death by any cause. The index could supplement currently-used indexes such as the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS) to guide treatment course…

Cocaine and levamisole, a chemical substance commonly used to cut the drug, can trigger ANCA production and mimic the symptoms of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), researchers said. Most cases affect the skin and the nose, but they also can involve internal organs like the kidneys, a study including…

ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) can cause kidney damage without affecting the glomeruli, the filtering unit of the kidneys, a case report suggests. Doctors should consider this possibility to avoid a late diagnosis and irreversible kidney damage, especially if anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCAs) against myeloperoxidase (MPO) are present, according to…

When autoimmune diseases such as ANCA-associated vasculitis are found at the same time as cancer, properly diagnosing and treating them alongside the cancer is crucial to ensuring best outcomes for the patient, a case report suggests. The study, “Simultaneous Occurrence of Sarcoidosis and Anti-neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-associated Vasculitis in a…

People with ANCA-associated vasculitis who have high levels of a protein called aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase-interacting multifunctional protein-1 (AIMP1) in their blood serum might be at higher risk of developing a severe form of the disease, a study has found. The study, “Serum Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetase-Interacting Multifunctional Protein-1…

In the rare event that ANCA-associated vasculitis affects a large blood vessel like the aorta, treatment with Rituxan (rituximab) appears to improve symptoms and reduce inflammation, a case report shows. The study, “Aortitis caused by antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis: a case-based review,” was published in…