[Bronchiectasis worsening by p-ANCA (bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein) positive vasculitis. A case report and review of the literature].
A 67-year-old woman was hospitalized with recurrent fever, arthralgia and erythema of the arms and legs. She had suffered from bronchiectasis for the previous 4 years, and Pseudomonas was persistently detected in her sputum. During the course of her illness, she developed distal sensitive and motor polyneuropathy. Serum test was positive for myeloperoxidase and bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies. Nerve biopsy showed vasculitis infiltration of the vasa nervorum. She started immunoglobulin therapy, and after methylprednisolone and pulse cyclophosphamide therapy once monthly for 6 months she showed a good response and a reduction in symptoms.
Benucci
Maurizio
M
Sezione di Reumatologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, Nuovo Ospedale San Giovanni di Dio di Firenze. maubenucci@tiscali.it
Nenci
Gabriele
G
Taccetti
Gianni
G
Rosso
Aurelio
A
Beltrame
Chiara
C
Cappelletti
Carlo
C
Manfredi
Mariangela
M
D000368:Aged; D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000276:immunology*; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology*
D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D001798:Blood Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C021623:bactericidal permeability increasing protein