News

Cigarettes Caused Smoker with Interstitial Lung Disease to Produce ANCA Antibodies, Report Says

In patients with interstitial lung disease, cigarette smoking may sometimes cause the production of ANCA associated antibodies — a hallmark of ANCA-associated vasculitis — without any signs of vessel inflammation, the case of a 57-year-old man suggests. The case report, “Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema with myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody…

Head and Neck Symptoms Can Indicate GPA, So Clinicians Must Be Watchful

Alterations in the nasal cavity mucosa and throat often are primary symptoms of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and it is critical that otolaryngologists are aware of the disease’s head and neck manifestations, researchers say. In a case report, Mayo Clinic researchers highlight some common endoscopic and radiologic findings seen…

Antiviral Therapy May Reduce Risk of Infection in AAV Patients, Clinical Study Suggests

Antiviral therapy prevents silent reactivation of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) patients and improves patients’ immune responses, a proof-of-concept clinical study shows. These results suggest that antiviral therapy may reduce the risk of infection in these patients. The study, “Subclinical Reactivation of Cytomegalovirus Drives CD4+CD28null T-Cell Expansion…

Rituxan, Corticosteroids Were Successful in Treating Patient with EGPA, Case Study Reports

A case report of a patient with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), with the disease affecting both the heart and lungs, suggests that Rituxan (rituximab) together with corticosteroids might be a successful therapeutic approach. The study, “Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis and Cardiac Involvement: A Case Report,” appeared in…