Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis involving diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and hypereosinophilia

Intern Med. 2013;52(19):2253-7. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.52.0481. Epub 2012 Mar 1.

Abstract

The classification of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) has limitations because the condition includes disorders with similar general clinical features, similar characteristics of lung and renal involvement and a positive ANCA serology. A 40-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for hemoptysis and dyspnea. She had no history of bronchial asthma. Laboratory examinations revealed hypereosinophilia, positive anti-myeloperoxidase antibodies, hematuria and proteinuria. The patient was ultimately diagnosed with AAV associated with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and hypereosinophilia without bronchial asthma. Obtaining a definitive diagnosis of ANCA vasculitis can be very difficult, and the characteristics of this case were not compatible with the findings of typical AVV. We herein report a rare case of AVV.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis / blood
  • Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis / complications
  • Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis / diagnosis*
  • Disease Progression*
  • Female
  • Glomerulonephritis / blood
  • Glomerulonephritis / complications
  • Glomerulonephritis / diagnosis*
  • Hemorrhage / blood
  • Hemorrhage / complications
  • Hemorrhage / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Hypereosinophilic Syndrome / blood
  • Hypereosinophilic Syndrome / complications
  • Hypereosinophilic Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Pulmonary Alveoli / pathology*