Marisa Wexler, MS, senior science writer —

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…

Variants in immune-related genes may make certain people more or less susceptible to anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV), a new study suggests. The study, “Risk HLA class II alleles and amino acid residues in myeloperoxidase–ANCA-associated vasculitis,” was published in the journal Kidney International.  The fact…

After examining 12 established methods for detecting antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs), researchers in China identified those likely best for diagnosing patients there suspected of having granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) or microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). Their study, “Evaluation of 12 different assays for detecting ANCA in…

Neutrophils from patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) are better at activating the alternative complement system than neutrophils from healthy people, a study has found. This research emphasizes the role of complement in AAV disease development, and suggests the therapeutic potential of its inhibition. The study, titled…

In a new study comparing Rituxan (rituximab) and azathioprine for the treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), rituximab was found to be a cost-effective option, even though it is the more expensive treatment. The study, “Cost-effectiveness of rituximab versus azathioprine for maintenance treatment in antineutrophil…