Rheumatoid Arthritis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Rheumatoid Arthritis, including details on treatment, symptoms, causes, medication.

ANCA-associated renal vasculitis following anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha therapy.

Simms R, Kipgen D, Dahill S, Marshall D, Rodger RS

Renal Unit, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. rozsimms@doctors.net.uk

We report the case of a 62-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis treated with adalimumab, an anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha drug, who presented with 4 weeks of lethargy, upper respiratory tract symptoms, a vasculitic skin rash, and rapidly deteriorating renal function. She had cytoplasmic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies and skin and renal biopsy specimens diagnostic of small vessel vasculitis and necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis, respectively. After immunosuppressive therapy and discontinuation of adalimumab therapy, vasculitis resolved and renal function recovered. This is the first report of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody associated necrotizing glomerulonephritis with adalimumab.

Published 25 February 2008 in Am J Kidney Dis, 51(3): e11-4.
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