Alice Melão,  —

Articles by Alice Melão

Rare SLE-AAV Overlap Syndrome May Cause Stroke, Case Report Shows

While rare, ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) may overlap with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) — the most common form of lupus — and manifest as an hemorrhagic stroke caused by a weakened blood vessel in the brain, a case study shows. The study, “Systemic lupus erythematosus and antineutrophilic cytoplasmic…

ANCA Vasculitis Maintenance Therapy Imuran Causes Allergic Reaction in Kidneys, Case Report Shows

A patient taking Imuran (azathioprine) to treat his ANCA-associated vasculitis experienced an acute allergic reaction to the therapy which manifested as a kidney inflammation. Researchers should be aware of this complication to promptly distinguish disease relapse from acute reactions to the medicine. The case report, “Azathioprine-induced interstitial nephritis…

Cigarettes Caused Smoker with Interstitial Lung Disease to Produce ANCA Antibodies, Report Says

In patients with interstitial lung disease, cigarette smoking may sometimes cause the production of ANCA associated antibodies — a hallmark of ANCA-associated vasculitis — without any signs of vessel inflammation, the case of a 57-year-old man suggests. The case report, “Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema with myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody…

Head and Neck Symptoms Can Indicate GPA, So Clinicians Must Be Watchful

Alterations in the nasal cavity mucosa and throat often are primary symptoms of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and it is critical that otolaryngologists are aware of the disease’s head and neck manifestations, researchers say. In a case report, Mayo Clinic researchers highlight some common endoscopic and radiologic findings seen…