title: Vascular endothelial growth factor may provide additional values to C-reactive protein and anti-myeloperoxidase titer as a parameter for evaluating disease activity in anti-myeloperoxidase associated vasculitis.
abstract: Anti-myeloperoxidase (anti-MPO) associated vasculitis can result in rapid clinical deterioration. Immunosuppressive therapy is effective but involving considerable toxicity, and disease relapse frequently ensues. Laboratory parameters, such as C-reactive protein and anti-MPO titer, have substantial values in monitoring disease activity. However, the sensitivity and specificity are not satisfactory. This report presents the case of an old man with anti-MPO associated vasculitis. A parallel correlation between serum VEGF levels with C-reactive protein and anti-MPO titer was clearly demonstrated, implying a promising role of VEGF on monitoring disease activity in anti-MPO associated vasculitis. This is the first description of a correlation between VEGF and anti-MPO associated vasculitis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ching-Hsiu
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Chun-Liang
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Chih-Wei
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Swei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shueh
authors.forename: Chiu-Ching
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D011379:Prognosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D015415:Biomarkers; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D009195:Peroxidase