title: Rituximab therapy for IgA-vasculitis with nephritis: a case series and review of the literature.
abstract: Henoch-Schonlein purpura, also called IgA-vasculitis, is a systemic small vessels vasculitis with immunoglobulin A1-dominant immune deposits. The optimal treatment remains controversial. Because IgA-vasculitis is characterized by leukocyte infiltration of the blood vessel walls along with immunoglobulin A deposition, and because glucocorticosteroids inhibit inflammatory processes, early administration of glucocorticosteroids has been postulated to be effective, but this indication remains controversial. Immunosuppressive agents (azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, mycophenolate) have been used in combination with glucocorticosteroids without definitive evidence of effectiveness. The efficacy of rituximab in adult IgA-vasculitis has been reported in few cases. We described a monocentric experience on the use of rituximab in adult IgA-vasculitis with biopsy-proven nephritis. The patients achieved a complete remission of nephritis and syndromic manifestations, and no patients experienced adverse reactions. These data have been compared with the limited literature nowadays available.
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Center of Research of Immunopathology and Rare Diseases, Department of Rare, Immunologic, Hematologic and Immunohematologic Diseases, Giovanni Bosco Hospital and University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fenoglio
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Center of Research of Immunopathology and Rare Diseases, Department of Rare, Immunologic, Hematologic and Immunohematologic Diseases, Giovanni Bosco Hospital and University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Naretto
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Center of Research of Immunopathology and Rare Diseases, Department of Rare, Immunologic, Hematologic and Immunohematologic Diseases, Giovanni Bosco Hospital and University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Basolo
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Center of Research of Immunopathology and Rare Diseases, Department of Rare, Immunologic, Hematologic and Immunohematologic Diseases, Giovanni Bosco Hospital and University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Quattrocchio
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Center of Research of Immunopathology and Rare Diseases, Department of Rare, Immunologic, Hematologic and Immunohematologic Diseases, Giovanni Bosco Hospital and University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferro
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Center of Research of Immunopathology and Rare Diseases, Department of Rare, Immunologic, Hematologic and Immunohematologic Diseases, Giovanni Bosco Hospital and University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mesiano
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Center of Research of Immunopathology and Rare Diseases, Department of Rare, Immunologic, Hematologic and Immunohematologic Diseases, Giovanni Bosco Hospital and University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulietta
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Beltrame
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Center of Research of Immunopathology and Rare Diseases, Department of Rare, Immunologic, Hematologic and Immunohematologic Diseases, Giovanni Bosco Hospital and University of Turin, Turin, Italy. dario.roccatello@unito.it.
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roccatello
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011695:IgA Vasculitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009393:Nephritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069283:Rituximab / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000069283:Rituximab
keywords: ANCA-associated vasculitis; B cell depletion therapy; Henoch–Schonlein purpura nephritis; Henoch–Schonlein treatment; IgA-vasculitis; Rituximab