Coexistence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) and IgA nephropathy

We described the clinical presentation, pathologic features, treatment resp onse, and outcome data of five patients with overlapping AAV and IgAN. They had mild glomerular pathological lesions and a positive response to aggressive immunosuppressive therapy. They were quite similar to pauci-immune AAV patients in clinical features, except for younger age. They had a lower pe rcentage of glomeruli with fibrous crescents compared with AAV patients. In contrast to IgAN patients, they had higher levels of ESR and CRP. The mechanism of the coexistence of IgAN and AAV needs further study.
Source: Immunologic Research - Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research