title: A case of Churg-Strauss syndrome associated with antiphospholipid antibodies.
abstract: Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a systemic vasculitis affecting both small- and medium-sized blood vessels, almost invariably affecting the lung, and frequently associated with cutaneous involvement. Microvascular vaso-occlusion leading to digital gangrene is not a feature of CSS. We report an unusual case of a patient with CSS with antiphospholipid antibodies who developed severe digital gangrene in addition to cutaneous vasculitis. The presence of antiphospholipid antibodies is not a feature usually seen in association with CSS. While the full clinical spectrum of CSS is still being defined, the identification of additional features associated with this syndrome might help to better understand the pathogenesis of the disease and to have an impact on both management and prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Case/University Hospitals of Cleveland, OH 44106-5028, USA.
authors.forename: Katalin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ferenczi
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Camouse
authors.forename: Rujing
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stern
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Willis
authors.forename: Kevin D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Anita C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Gilliam
mesh_terms: D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D015267:Churg-Strauss Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005385:Fingers; D005734:Gangrene / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; D001379:Azathioprine; D011241:Prednisone