Margarida Maia, PhD, science writer —

Margarida is a biochemist (University of Porto, Portugal) with a PhD in biomedical sciences (VIB and KULeuven, Belgium). Her main interest is science communication. She is also passionate about design and the dialogue between art and science.

Articles by Margarida Maia

Partners plan database of AAV molecular information for research

Evotec has formed a partnership with Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin in Germany to build a database of all sorts of molecular information from people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). Molecular profiles, a kind of fingerprint of AAV, may help scientists better understand the autoimmune disease and pave the way…

Blood clotting factor XII may be marker of active AAV: Study

Factor XII (FXII), a protein involved in blood clotting, is found at significantly higher levels in the blood of people with active ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) relative to those in clinical remission, or whose symptoms have eased or disappeared. That’s according to a study in China that also found that…

Rituximab at fixed regimen better for long-term remission: Study

An 18-month fixed-schedule maintenance regimen of rituximab is better at keeping ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) in remission for up to seven years than azathioprine or a rituximab regimen tailored to an individual, according to pooled data from the Phase 3 MAINRITSAN program. Doubling the length of this fixed-schedule regimen did…

GPA is most common type of ANCA-associated vasculitis in Italy

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is the most common type of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) in Italy and is linked to worse symptoms and higher mortality and healthcare costs than microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), another common AAV type, a study finds. Using immunosuppressive glucocorticoids was also associated with higher costs…

Lung damage patterns on CT scans may differ by ANCA, AAV types

People with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) may present different lung involvement patterns depending on the type of disease and self-reactive antibodies driving the disease, according to a small study. Given that “the type of pulmonary involvement in AAV is important to predict prognosis and mortality as well as for treatment…

Low dose of corticosteroids as good as high dose for AAV: Study

A low dose of intravenous or into-the-vein methylprednisolone, a corticosteroid, is as safe and effective as a high dose at preserving kidney function and extending survival in people with severe ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), a U.K. study found. Given that corticosteroids, a standard AAV treatment, are associated with significant…