Lindsey Shapiro, PhD, science writer —

Limited exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light and related drops in vitamin D levels — particularly over the winter months — may be linked to a greater risk of relapses among people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) in Ireland and the U.K., a data study found. But vitamin D status and…

Undetectable blood levels of ANCAs within six months of remission induction treatment were associated with a lower risk of relapses over the next five years in people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), a study showed. The presence or absence of disease-causing antibodies did not seem to impact the risk of…

ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) emerged as a side effect of levamisole given for years to treat a 15-year-old boy with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, according to a case report. “By reporting this case, we want to raise awareness among clinicians regarding a rare complication of treatment with Levamisole that is often…

Tavneos (avacopan) reduced respiratory, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) involvement among people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), but did not significantly outperform prednisone in its ability to do so, according to a substudy of the larger Phase 3 ADVOCATE trial. The treatment also significantly lowered patients’ reliance on glucocorticoid…

Rituximab treatment led to rates of remission and relapse prevention in Mexican patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) that were similar to those previously observed in other patient populations, a real-world study found. It was also associated with a higher rate of infections, the study found. Overall, about 65% of…

People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who also have ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) are more likely to develop signs of kidney impairment than those without AAV, a small study showed. Among patients with both disorders, AAV was usually diagnosed after RA, and often was asymptomatic, highlighting that an early RA diagnosis…

Prolonged low levels of immunoglobulin antibodies as a result of rituximab treatment did not increase the likelihood of serious infections in children with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) or microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) — the two most common forms of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). This was according to a post-hoc analysis of…

Infliximab successfully led to the remission of respiratory symptoms in a 15-year-old boy with steroid-resistant granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), a type of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), according to a case report. More studies are needed to determine the treatment’s safety profile in children, the researchers noted. The report, “…

Antimicrobial webs produced by neutrophils — immune cells that respond quickly to bodily injury — may be implicated in the development of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) accompanied by lung scarring (fibrosis), a recent review of several published studies revealed. These webs of DNA and antimicrobial proteins are known as neutrophil…

Genetic biomarkers and immune pathways related to kidney damage in people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) were identified in a recent study. The five identified biomarker genes may be involved in the progression of kidney damage through immune system signaling, its researchers said. The study, “Identification of Hub Biomarkers and…