Abstract
By contrast to cryoglobulinemic vasculitis, polyarteritis nodosa associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is rare and still a controversial entity. The best treatment for this condition is not established. Cases reported in the literature have been treated with various combinations of corticosteroids, antiviral therapy, and immunosuppressants. We report a case of severe life-threatening HCV-associated polyarteritis nodosa successfully treated with rituximab and a short course of corticosteroids without antiviral therapy. This case, along with recently published data, emphasizes the value of B-cell-targeted therapy in this unusual form of HCV-associated vasculitis.
MeSH terms
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / administration & dosage*
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B-Lymphocytes / drug effects
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Drug Therapy, Combination
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Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage*
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Hepacivirus / pathogenicity*
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Hepatitis C, Chronic / diagnosis
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Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
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Hepatitis C, Chronic / virology
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Humans
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Immunologic Factors / administration & dosage*
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Ischemia / diagnosis
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Ischemia / drug therapy*
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Ischemia / virology
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Male
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Mesenteric Ischemia
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Middle Aged
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Polyarteritis Nodosa / diagnosis
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Polyarteritis Nodosa / drug therapy*
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Polyarteritis Nodosa / virology
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Rituximab
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Treatment Outcome
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Vascular Diseases / diagnosis
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Vascular Diseases / drug therapy*
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Vascular Diseases / virology
Substances
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Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
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Glucocorticoids
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Immunologic Factors
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Rituximab