title: Abrupt and durable remission of Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis with cyclosporine A.
abstract: Henoch-Schönlein purpura glomerulonephritis (HSP-GN) is a common form of systemic small vessel vasculitis in children. Although prognosis is usually favourable, the disease is occasionally associated with a risk of renal insufficiency. Various immunosuppressive agents have been used in patients with severe HSP-GN, but none have shown convincing favourable effects. We report a case of biopsy-proven HSP-related GN in a 4-year-old girl that responded remarkably well to cyclosporine A (CsA), following failure to respond to other immunosuppressive agents. At 8 months post-CsA treatment, repeat renal biopsy findings were consistent with histological improvement. We conclude that CsA treatment not only exerts beneficial effects on resistant HSP-related GN but may also arrest progression of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Nephrology.
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Georgaki-Angelaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics , University of Athens , Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens 11527.
authors.forename: Stavroula
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kostaridou
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics , University of Athens , Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens 11527.
authors.forename: Athanasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lourida
authors.affiliation: Nephropathology Department , Evangelismos Hospital , Athens , Greece.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Petraki
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics , University of Athens , Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens 11527.
authors.forename: Evagelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lagona
keywords: Henoch–Schönlein purpura; cyclosporine A; glomerulonephritis