title: Churg-strauss syndrome: an update.
abstract: Churg-Strauss syndrome is an uncommon disease of unknown cause described initially by Churg and Strauss in 1951. Even though it was initially thought to be a variant of polyarteritis nodosa, its pathological, clinical, and laboratory features show that it is related to the small vessel vasculitides, and it is now classified as an antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis. The presence of asthma, usually of adult onset, along with other allergic symptoms, peripheral and tissue eosinophilia, is specific to this disease. These features usually help clinicians distinguish it from other types of small vessel vasculitis and should alert clinicians about its presence. Two different clinical subtypes defined by the presence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies recently have been recognized. Recent advances in the treatment and pathophysiology of Churg-Strauss syndrome are reviewed in this article.
authors.affiliation: Mayo College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA. abril.andy@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abril
mesh_terms: D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000097:blood; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D015267:Churg-Strauss Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D003520:Cyclophosphamide