Project description:Aim: To investigate clinical implications of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) positivity detected in COVID-19 patients during follow up. Materials and methods: A retrospective survey in a hospital database was carried out to detect COVID-19 patients in which ANCAs had been tested. Clinical, laboratory and imaging data were collected from this hospital database and compared between ANCA-negative and -positive patients. Results: ANCAs were tested in 87 COVID-19 patients. Eight had positivity in at least one ANCA test. COVID-19 symptoms on admission and rate of pulmonary involvement were similar. Acute phase reactant levels were higher in ANCA-positive patients. Rate of mortality was higher in the ANCA-positive group without statistical significance. Conclusion: ANCA positivity detected during COVID-19 in patients without a prior diagnosis of any rheumatic condition may be related with worse outcomes.
Project description:PurposeWe investigated whether antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) positivity is associated with vascular manifestations at diagnosis of Behçet's disease (BD) and poor outcomes during follow-up.Materials and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 1060 patients with BD. Among them, 808 patients could be diagnosed with BD based on the revised version of the International Criteria for Behçet's Disease (ICBD) in 2014 (2014 ICBD criteria) and 588 patients could be diagnosed with BD based on the International Study Group (ISG) criteria proposed in 1990 (1990 ISG criteria). We examined the sites and patterns of vascular involvement in the BD patients at diagnosis and evaluated adverse outcomes during follow up, such as all-cause mortality, acute coronary syndrome, and deep vein thrombosis.ResultsAmong the 808 patients with BD based on the 2014 ICBD criteria, the rate of ANCA positivity at diagnosis was 2.2%. ANCA-positive BD patients exhibited a higher frequency of overall vascular manifestations (22.2% vs. 6.1%) and higher frequencies of vascular involvement in the upper extremities and visceral arteries than ANCA-negative BD patients (5.6% vs. 0.1% and 5.6% vs. 0.1%). Among the 588 BD patients based on the 1990 ISG criteria, similarly, ANCA-positive BD patients exhibited a higher frequency of vascular manifestations than ANCA-negative BD patients. ANCA positivity, however, did not seem to be associated with poor outcomes in BD patients during follow up.ConclusionANCA positivity in BD patients was found to be associated with cross-sectional vascular involvement in the upper extremities and visceral arteries at diagnosis but was not predictive of poor outcomes during follow-up.
Project description:ObjectivesTo investigate the rate of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) positivity and its clinical significance in patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).MethodsThis study included 178 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 who were enrolled in a cohort at a single centre. Myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA and proteinase 3 (PR3)-ANCA levels in stored blood sera were measured using immunoassay kits. Mortality, mechanical ventilator care, and severe infection were assessed as three poor outcomes. The 2022 American College of Rheumatology and the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (ACR/EULAR) classification criteria for the three subtypes of AAV were applied only to patients who had MPO-ANCA or PR3-ANCA among study subjects.ResultsThe detection rate of ANCA positivity was 18.5%. MPO-ANCA and PR3-ANCA were found in 22 (12.4%) and 14 (7.9%) patients, respectively. However, neither MPO-ANCA nor PR3-ANCA affected the three poor outcomes. According to the new criteria, 12 (6.7%) and 21 (11.8%) patients were classified as having granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), respectively.ConclusionsSARS-CoV-2 infection may increase the rate of ANCA positivity. Although it might not affect poor outcomes, it might contribute to the classification of GPA and MPA despite uncertain clinical significance.
Project description:Background/aimsThis study investigated the clinical implication of proteinase 3 (PR3)-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) in Korean patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA).MethodsAmong the 242 patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis identified from the hospital database, 49 patients with EGPA were selected and analysed in this study. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data at diagnosis were reviewed to compare the features of patients with PR3-ANCA and without, as well as the clinical outcomes of relapse and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) during the follow-up period. The outcomes of patients with PR3-ANCA and without were compared by using the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.ResultsThe median age of the patients was 54 years, 17 (34.7%) were male, and six (12.2%) patients had PR3-ANCA at baseline. The most common items of the 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria for EGPA were sinusitis (95.9%) and asthma (or asthmatic history) (93.9%). During the follow-up, none died, eight experienced relapse and two progressed to ESRD. EGPA patients with PR3-ANCA exhibited peripheral eosinophilia less frequently than those without (50.0% vs. 88.4%, p = 0.047). On the other hand, EGPA patients with PR3-ANCA experienced relapse more often compared to those without (50.0% vs. 11.6%, p = 0.047), and the cumulative relapse-free survival rate was lower compared to those without PR3-ANCA (p = 0.012).ConclusionEGPA patients possessing PR3-ANCA at disease diagnosis had distinct clinical feature and outcome compared to those without PR3-ANCA. These results should be taken into account in the management of patients with EGPA.
Project description:BackgroundKidney biopsy is valuable for prognostic assessment of renal outcomes in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) with glomerulonephritis (AAV-GN) but the impact of chronic changes is not determined.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of myeloperoxidase (MPO)- or proteinase 3 (PR3)-ANCA-positive patients with AAV and active renal disease. We applied the Mayo Clinic Chronicity Score (MCCS) and validated and evaluated its implications on outcome prediction in AAV-GN.ResultsWe analyzed 329 patients with kidney biopsies available to score. The extent of chronicity was graded by MCCS as minimal [102 (31.0%)], mild [106 (32.2%)], moderate [86 (26.1%)] and severe [35 (10.6%)]. The MCCS grades correlated with the degree of renal function impairment at presentation [mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 48.3 versus 29.2 versus 23.7 versus 18.5 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively; P < 0.0001]. Higher degrees of the individual components of the MCCS (glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy and arteriosclerosis) were associated with lower median eGFR (P < 0.0001) and decreased event-free [kidney failure (KF) and death] survival (P = 0.002, P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001 and P = 0.017, respectively). Patients with lower MCCS grades recovered renal function more frequently (P < 0.0001). Increasing MCCS grades were associated with decreased renal recovery (P = 0.001), more frequent events and shorter time to KF (P < 0.0001), KF and death (P < 0.0001) and death (P = 0.042), independent of the remission induction treatment used (cyclophosphamide or rituximab). The MCCS stratified renal outcomes for each MCCS grade and can be used in clinical practice as a cutoff for KF prediction (MCCS ≥4).ConclusionsChronic changes on kidney histology independently predict renal function, outcomes and response to treatment in AAV-GN.
Project description:Myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (MPO-ANCA) is well-known as a serological marker for small-vessel vasculitis. However, when a smoker with interstitial lung disease (ILD) exhibits serum ANCA positivity without systemic vasculitis, diagnosis is a matter of debate; the relationship between smoking and ANCA is unknown. We report a case of combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) with elevated MPO-ANCA. Surgical lung biopsy showed emphysema and fibrotic interstitial pneumonia without vasculitis. The MPO-ANCA level decreased after smoking cessation, and no vasculitis or progression was observed during 3 years of follow-up. This suggested that smoking cessation was related to normalization of MPO-ANCA and corresponding disease activity.
Project description:ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of two rituximab (RTX) regimens for the induction of remission in severe antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV): the four-dose (375 mg/m2 intravenously weekly) versus the two-dose (1000 mg intravenously biweekly) regimen.MethodsA systematic review was performed to identify studies using the four- and/or two-dose RTX regimens for induction of remission in severe AAV. Disease status 6 months after RTX infusion was required for inclusion. Patients were excluded if they received concomitant cyclophosphamide or plasma exchange. The primary end point was the proportion of patients in complete remission at 6 months. The pooled estimate was obtained by using meta-analysis methods for proportions with random effects. Secondary end points included antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody status, number of patients with B-cell depletion, mean prednisone dose, infections, and death.ResultsA total of 27 studies and 506 patients were included for analysis: 361 patients received the four-dose regimen, and 145 patients received the two-dose regimen. Most patients had relapsing disease at inclusion (83% and 92% of patients, respectively). There was no significant difference between the four- and two-dose regimens, with a complete remission achieved in 85% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 70-96) and 91% (95% CI: 79-99) of patients, respectively. At 6 months, both regimens were associated with a similar mean daily prednisone dose (8.1 mg), infections (12% in both), and death (1% vs 0%, respectively).ConclusionNo difference was found in terms of efficacy or safety between the four- and two-dose RTX regimens for induction of remission in severe AAV.
Project description:BackgroundCholesterol embolization syndrome (CES) is an uncommon but well-known cause of renal failure in native kidneys, but little is known about CES in kidney transplant recipients. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, histopathology, and prognosis of CES after kidney transplantation.MethodsCES cases in both transplanted and native kidneys (control group) were identified by searching the databases of the divisions of Nephrology and Pathology of our institution. Clinical data were retrospectively collected. Biopsies were classified according to the latest Banff 2019 Update. Second, a systematic literature search was performed (December 01, 2020) of Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of controlled trials, Google Scholar, and Web of Science.ResultsCES was observed in for-cause biopsies of 11 out of 2350 (0.47%) kidney transplant recipients transplanted between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2018 (0.0009 cases per person-year). All patients had ≥1 cardiovascular risk factor, and 9 donors were expanded criteria donors. Graft loss occurred in 27.3% of the patients diagnosed with CES. Eight transplant biopsies with CES were also classified as biopsy-proven acute rejection. Transplant biopsies showed signs of inflammation (arteritis, n = 7; interstitial inflammation, n = 5; tubulitis, n = 7). One patient with CES in a native kidney was identified. The biopsy of the native kidney only showed arteritis and classified as an isolated "v" lesion. The literature search resulted in 188 unique articles of which 20 were included. A total of 47 cases of CES after kidney transplantation was reported. Cholesterol emboli were found in <1% of all kidney transplant biopsies. In 57.8% of the kidney transplant biopsies with CES described in literature, concomitant inflammation was present.ConclusionsCES is an uncommon cause of kidney transplant failure, although the incidence of CES may be underestimated. CES may mimic rejection as it can be accompanied by arteritis.
Project description:ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of two rituximab (RTX) regimens for the induction of remission in severe antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV): the four-dose (375 mg/m2 intravenously weekly) versus the two-dose (1000 mg intravenously biweekly) regimen.MethodsA systematic review was performed to identify studies using the four- and/or two-dose RTX regimens for induction of remission in severe AAV. Disease status 6 months after RTX infusion was required for inclusion. Patients were excluded if they received concomitant cyclophosphamide or plasma exchange. The primary end point was the proportion of patients in complete remission at 6 months. The pooled estimate was obtained by using meta-analysis methods for proportions with random effects. Secondary end points included antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody status, number of patients with B-cell depletion, mean prednisone dose, infections, and death.ResultsA total of 27 studies and 506 patients were included for analysis: 361 patients received the four-dose regimen, and 145 patients received the two-dose regimen. Most patients had relapsing disease at inclusion (83% and 92% of patients, respectively). There was no significant difference between the four- and two-dose regimens, with a complete remission achieved in 85% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 70-96) and 91% (95% CI: 79-99) of patients, respectively. At 6 months, both regimens were associated with a similar mean daily prednisone dose (8.1 mg), infections (12% in both), and death (1% vs. 0%, respectively).ConclusionNo difference was found in terms of efficacy or safety between the four- and two-dose RTX regimens for induction of remission in severe AAV. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/acr2.11274 Bénard V, Farhat C, Zarandi-Nowroozi M, Durand M, Charles P, Puéchal X, et al. Comparison of two rituximab induction regimens for antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody-associated vasculitis: systematic review and meta-analysis. ACR Open Rheumatol 2021;3:484-94.
Project description:Patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) could develop significant urological complications, such as hydroureteronephrosis, renal amyloidosis and IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Here, we presented a 12-year-old boy carrying pathogenic COL7A1 mutation with diagnosis of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB). The patient had concomitant gross hematuria and proteinuria. Pathological examinations and immunostaining of renal biopsy showed glomeruli with mesangial hypercellularity and deposition of IgA, which were indicative of IgAN. Interestingly, serological evaluation showed antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) directed against myeloperoxidase and proteinase 3. Treatment with glucocorticoid, immunosuppressants, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and antibiotics efficiently improved hemato-proteinuria, and ANCAs became negative as well. This case of DEB presented a unique collection of clinical manifestations and pathological alterations. IgAN and serum positive ANCA were possibly associated with sustained infection secondary to DEB, and can be managed by empirical treatment for primary IgAN.