Cryoglobulinemic vasculitis resistant to intermittent intravenous pulse cyclophosphamide therapy

Scand J Rheumatol. 2000;29(3):201-2. doi: 10.1080/030097400750002139.

Abstract

We report on a 78-year-old patient with severe disease manifestations including polyneuropathy and clinically suspected secondary temporal arteritis due to hepatitis C virus-associated cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (CV). Despite intermittent intravenous pulse cyclophosphamide therapy and oral corticosteroid therapy her condition further deteriorated. Only oral cyclophosphamide therapy with high-dose corticosteroid and plasmapheresis was efficient in inducing a remission of her CV. This case report demonstrates that pulse cyclophosphamide therapy may not be sufficient to control severe manifestations of cryoglobulinemic vasculitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Aged
  • Cryoglobulinemia / complications
  • Cryoglobulinemia / drug therapy*
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage*
  • Drug Resistance
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Plasmapheresis
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Pulse Therapy, Drug
  • Vasculitis / complications
  • Vasculitis / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Prednisolone