Marisa Wexler, MS,  senior science writer—

Continuing maintenance treatment with rituximab for long periods increases the likelihood that people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) remain in remission, without increasing the incidence or severity of adverse events, findings from a Phase 3 trial show. The study, “Long-Term Rituximab Use to Maintain Remission of…

In people with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV), central nervous system involvement is associated with more active disease and peripheral nervous system involvement, a recent Chinese study suggests. The study, “Central nervous system involvement in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated vasculitis: a study of 29…

Plasma exchange does not improve survival or prevent serious kidney disease in people with ANCA vasculitis, a study found. In addition, lower doses of glucocorticoids — steroid hormones that can ease inflammation — seem to be as effective as standard doses in terms of survival and kidney disease,…

The bacterium that causes Q fever — an infection usually transmitted to humans by barnyard animals — can trigger anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV), a recent case report suggests. Titled “Coxiella burnetii endocarditis as a possible cause of ANCA-associated vasculitis,” the report was published…

People in Poland with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAV) are treated according to existing guidelines, and the most common treatment-associated adverse event is infection, according to a nationwide study. The study, “Treatment and its side effects in ANCA-associated vasculitides – Study based on POLVAS registry…

Muscle weakness may be an under-recognized symptom of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) with diagnosis likely requiring a biopsy of the muscle itself, a case report has found. The report, titled “Severe proximal muscle weakness with normal CK as a presenting feature of ANCA-associated vasculitis,”…

The presence of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus was not associated with a higher relapse rate of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), a recent study suggests. These results challenge the idea that use of certain antibiotics may prevent AAV relapses, the researchers said. Titled “No evident association of nasal…

Older adults with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) have an overall good prognosis, with a high long-term survival rate, a recent study suggests. Higher frailty scores and elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammatory marker, were identified as factors associated with mortality. The study, “Long-term outcomes…

ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) patients have lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad cholesterol,” when compared to people without the disease, a study suggests. These differences seemed to dissipate over time, which suggests a link between inflammatory status and LDL levels. Researchers advise more research is needed to…

People with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) who undergo kidney transplants have high survival rates over the long term without evidence of an increased risk of cancer, a study has found. Titled “Long-Term Outcomes of Renal Transplant in Patients With End-Stage…