Life-threatening ANCA-positive vasculitis associated with rickettsial infection.
We present a 47-year-old Caucasian fire fighter who developed multisystem organ failure in the setting of a positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (myeloperoxidase) as well as confirmed Rocky Mountain spotted fever by skin biopsy PCR. This case provided a diagnostic challenge, a rare association of a Rickettsia infection and autoimmune vasculitis as well as a unique management approach.
Department of Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia, USA.
Ashley
A
Nickerson
Paul Ellis
PE
Marik
D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000276:immunology*; D001706:Biopsy; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012284:Rickettsia rickettsii / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012373:Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology*; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology
D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D004269:DNA, Bacterial