Open AccessEosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis with severe pulmonary hemorrhage treated with rituximab
Author(s) -
Shashidhar Baikunje,
Mahesha Vankalakunti,
VS Upadhyaya,
Hosmane Gb
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
indian journal of nephrology/indian journal of nephrology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.317
H-Index - 24
eISSN - 1998-3662
pISSN - 0971-4065
DOI - 10.4103/0971-4065.161021
Subject(s) - medicine , granulomatosis with polyangiitis , rituximab , rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis , pulmonary hemorrhage , prednisolone , eosinophilia , cyclophosphamide , eosinophilic , vasculitis , pulmonary eosinophilia , mepolizumab , pathology , gastroenterology , asthma , eosinophil , lung , chemotherapy , disease , lymphoma
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is characterized by systemic vasculitis, asthma and eosinophilia. Severe pulmonary hemorrhage is rare. Renal involvement is seen in approximately 25% and can vary from isolated urinary abnormality to rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. There is limited evidence to support the use of rituximab in this condition. We present a patient with EGPA who had severe pulmonary hemorrhage and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. He responded to standard treatment including prednisolone, cyclophosphamide, and plasma exchange. He subsequently had a relapse of pulmonary hemorrhage that was treated successfully with rituximab.