José Lopes, PhD, managing science editor —

People with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) are at a greater risk of venous thromboembolism — blood clots in veins — if they have evidence of bleeding into the lungs, heart involvement, red blood cells in their urine, or anti-PR3-ANCA autoantibodies, according to a study in patients of a Phase…

A new mouse model of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) shows glomerulonephritis, lung vasculitis, and MPO-ANCA autoantibodies, among other alterations seen in patients with the disease. These mice may help determine genetic factors in AAV, the researchers said. The study, “Vasculitis and Glomerulonephritis in a Newly Established…

Although serum levels of the pro-inflammatory molecule interleukin (IL)-6 do not predict who will achieve complete remission, increases during periods of no disease activity are associated with subsequent severe relapses in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) on rituximab, according to an exploratory study. The research, “The…

Measuring structural features of specialized kidney cells called podocytes could predict short-term proteinuria — excess proteins in urine — in patients with ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis, according to a new study. The research, “Podocytes and Proteinuria in ANCA-Associated Glomerulonephritis: A Case-Control Study,” appeared in the journal Frontiers…

High blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors are highly prevalent in people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), and a sizable number — more than one-third — of patients are not properly treated, researchers report. The work, “Prevalence and management of cardiovascular risk factors in ANCA-associated vasculitis,”…

Patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) experience significant increases in serum lipid levels during remission induction, particularly those who are newly diagnosed or have anti-PR3 antibodies, according to new research. The findings also indicated that disease phase and antibody type are associated with differential levels of inflammation and could…

Patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) with low levels of complement proteins develop greater kidney damage, according to new research. The study, “Increased renal damage in hypocomplementemic patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis: retrospective cohort study,” appeared in the journal Clinical Rheumatology. The complement system — a…

Testing positive for anti-PR3 antibodies and showing lesions in the lungs and cartilaginous tissues could replace nasal biopsy for diagnosing patients with suspected granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and chronic rhinosinusitis, according to a pilot study. The study, “Should nasal biopsy inevitably be performed for…

Patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) who have persistent antiphospholipid antibodies (APLAs) at diagnosis are at a greater risk of developing blood clots, with consequent obstruction of the blood flow, according to new research. The study, “Persistent antiphospholipid antibodies are associated with thrombotic events in ANCA-associated vasculitis: A retrospective…

Dividing ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) into subgroups defined by type of antibodies does not provide additional value for clinical prognosis, according to recent research. The study, “Clinical impact of subgrouping ANCA-associated vasculitis according to antibody specificity beyond the clinicopathological classification,” appeared in the journal Rheumatology. Different…