News

The ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes — two types of immune cells — can be used to predict disease activity at diagnosis and risk of relapse in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis, a new study shows. The study, “Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio at diagnosis can estimate vasculitis activity and poor…

Roughly 1 in 10 patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis have another overlapping autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or scleroderma, according to a study. Patients whose vasculitis is limited to their kidneys appear to be at a greater risk of having an accompanying autoimmune disease, researchers also…

The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared two assays to be used in the diagnosis of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), according to PerkinElmer. Specifically, the FDA cleared the EUROPLUS Granulocyte Mosaic and the EUROIMMUN ANCA IFA — also referred to as EUROIMMUN IFA Granulocyte assays — to be…

Patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) who have renal symptoms might benefit from a kidney biopsy along with measurements of ANCA antibodies and kidney function to predict their renal outcomes, a Chinese study reported. The study, “An evaluation of the 2010 histopathological classification of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated glomerulonephritis: a…

A case study from Japan found that patients with microscopic polyangiitis can, on rare occasions, develop aneurysms in their renal arteries, a complication that can lead to blood vessel rupture and sometimes death. The case report with the finding, “Ruptured renal artery in microscopic polyangiitis: a case report and…

Patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis can rarely develop abdominal aortic aneurysm, a serious condition that can lead to blood vessel rupture and, in extreme circumstances, death. The case report with that finding, “Aortic Aneurysm as a Complication of Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Successfully Treated with Prednisolone and Cyclophosphamide: A Case…

A kidney biopsy is valuable in establishing a diagnosis and prognosis for end-stage renal disease in older patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis who have kidney involvement, although they are not useful for predicting overall survival, a study shows. “Prognosis and Histological Classification in Elderly Patients with ANCA-Glomerulonephritis: A Registry-Based…

While rare, patients with scleroderma — a disease that causes skin hardening — can also develop ANCA-associated vasculitis, a case report shows. The study, “Perinuclear Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody Positive Glomerulonephritis in a Case of Limited Cutaneous Scleroderma,” was published in the Indian Journal of Nephrology.

Pregnant women who develop ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) may safely receive Rituxan (rituximab) and corticosteroids, a case study suggests. However, this is the first study describing Rituxan’s use in pregnant women with vasculitis, and researchers say more evidence of its safety and effectiveness  is needed. The study, “…

A deficiency in leptin — the hormone that signals the brain when a person has eaten enough — may lead to the development of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), according to a new case study from India. The report, “ANCA-associated Vasculitis in a Case of Congenital Leptin Deficiency,” was published…