D-Penicillamine-induced ANCA-associated crescentic glomerulonephritis in Wilson disease

Am J Kidney Dis. 2007 Nov;50(5):821-5. doi: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2007.05.026.

Abstract

Several drugs, including hydralazine and propylthiouracil, can induce antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis. d-Penicillamine was implicated in a few patients with rheumatoid arthritis or systemic sclerosis, but in patients with both diseases, ANCA-associated vasculitides were described in the absence of the drug. Therefore, the role of d-penicillamine treatment could not be established. We report the first case of antimyeloperoxidase antibody-associated vasculitis in a patient treated with d-penicillamine for Wilson disease. Because Wilson disease was never associated with ANCA-related nephritis, this case strongly supports that d-penicillamine can induce ANCA-vasculitis. The presentation and rapidly progressive and potentially severe outcome of this complication dramatically contrast with those of membranous and minimal change glomerulopathy, also induced by the sulfhydryl compound.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / blood*
  • Chelating Agents / adverse effects*
  • Chelating Agents / therapeutic use
  • Creatinine / blood
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Glomerulonephritis / chemically induced*
  • Glomerulonephritis / immunology
  • Glomerulonephritis / pathology
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage
  • Hepatolenticular Degeneration / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Kidney Function Tests
  • Kidney Glomerulus / pathology
  • Methylprednisolone / administration & dosage
  • Necrosis
  • Penicillamine / adverse effects*
  • Penicillamine / therapeutic use
  • Peroxidase / immunology
  • Vasculitis / chemically induced*
  • Vasculitis / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
  • Chelating Agents
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Creatinine
  • Peroxidase
  • Penicillamine
  • Methylprednisolone