Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis in children: Data from the French RespiRare® cohort

Update on antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody vasculitis in children

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is often organ- or life-threatening in children and impacts them during important periods of psychosocial and physical development. This review covers recent advances in the pathophysiology, diagnosis, management, and outcomes of AAV in children and highlights the ongoing need for funding and increased research collaboration.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent work has improved our understanding of AAV disease pathogenesis, potentially identifying new biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Collaborative clinical studies have also highlighted the variable manifestations in children and identified potential factors associated with poorer outcomes. Consensus-based treatment guidelines are also appearing, but clinical trials are still essential to better understanding treatment efficacy and safety in children affected by AAV. New, validated outcome measures, including those that are patient-reported, will facilitate these much-needed clinical trials in pediatric AAV.

SUMMARY

There is a continued need for more rigorous study in pediatric AAV, however, there is certainly excitement with the increase in recent research relevant to the pediatric population.

Cerebrovascular involvement in systemic childhood vasculitides

Pediatric vasculitides sometimes involve central nervous system (CNS). The manifestations are diverse, ranging from headache, seizures, vertigo, ataxia, behavioral changes, neuropsychiatric symptoms, consciousness disorders, and even cerebrovascular (CV) accidents that may lead to irreversible impairment and even death. Stroke, on the other hand despite the great progress in prevention and treatment, is still one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the general population. The aim of this article was to summarize CNS manifestations and CV issues observed in primary pediatric vasculitides and the current knowledge of etiology and CV risk factors, preventive strategies, and therapeutic options in this target patient population. Pathophysiological links reveal similar immunological mechanisms involved in both pediatric vasculitides and CV events with endothelial injury and damage being the central point. From the clinical point of view, CV events in pediatric vasculitides were associated with increased morbidity and poor prognosis. If damage has already occurred, the therapeutic approach consists of good management of the vasculitis itself, antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy, and early rehabilitation. Risk factors for acquiring cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and stroke, particularly hypertension and early atherosclerotic changes, already begin in childhood, with vessel wall inflammation contributing itself, once more emphasizing that appropriate preventive measures are certainly necessary in pediatric vasculitis population to improve their long-term outcome.

Therapeutic Advances in Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is an eosinophilic vasculitis that affects a variety of organ systems. Historically, glucocorticoids and a variety of other immunosuppressants were used to abrogate the inflammation and tissue injury associated with EGPA. The management of EGPA has evolved greatly during the last decade with the development of novel targeted therapeutics that have resulted in significantly improved outcomes for these patients, with many more novel targeted therapies emerging.

Cardiac involvement and cardiovascular risk factors in pediatric primary systemic vasculitides

Pediatric primary systemic vasculitides are a complex group of diseases. Vasculitis subgroups are mainly determined according to the size of the predominantly affected vessels. In patients with primary systemic vasculitis, the location of vascular involvement, the size of the vessels, the extent of vascular damage, and the underlying pathology determine the disease phenotype and severity. Cardiac involvement is rare in some pediatric vasculitis, such as IgA vasculitis and polyarteritis nodosa, while it is more common in some others like Kawasaki disease and Takayasu arteritis. On the other hand, chronic inflammation in the setting of systemic vasculitis forms a major cardiovascular risk factor. Accelerated atherosclerosis and the tendency to thrombosis are the main issues determining the cardiovascular risks in pediatric systemic vasculitis. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential in these patients to minimize morbidity and mortality. In this review, we aimed to raise physicians' awareness of cardiac involvement and cardiovascular risks in pediatric patients with primary systemic vasculitis.

Vasculitis and Kidney Disease

Pediatric vasculitis is a complex group of disorders that commonly presents with multisystem involvement. Renal vasculitis can be isolated to the kidneys or can occur as part of a broader multiorgan vasculitis. Depending on severity, renal vasculitis may present as acute glomerulonephritis (AGN) often associated with hypertension and sometimes with a rapidly deteriorating clinical course. Prompt diagnosis and initiation of therapy are key to preserving kidney function and preventing long-term morbidity and mortality. This review focuses on the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment objectives for common forms of renal vasculitis seen in pediatric patients.

ANCA-Negative EGPA With Pulmonary, Cutaneous, and Neurological Manifestations in a 25-Year-Old Male: A Case Report

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis is a systemic vasculitis characterized by the presence of asthma, hyper-eosinophilia, and necrotizing vasculitis with extravascular eosinophilic granulomas. We report the case of a 25-year-old male who presented to the outpatient department complaining of joint aches and numbness in the hands and legs. Physical examination revealed erythematous blanchable macular rashes on palms and soles. Raynaud's phenomenon was also observed. Lab workup revealed elevated WBC count and peripheral blood eosinophilia. Antibody tests were positive only for anti-nuclear antibodies. A diagnosis of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis including peripheral neuropathy, arthralgia, rash, and pulmonary manifestations was established. The patient was started on a therapeutic regimen of corticosteroids and immunosuppressants, which halted the progression of the disease. Peripheral neuropathy and arthralgia also improved.

Novel pediatric granulomatosis with polyangiitis with a marked bloody pericardial effusion and bloody stool: a case report

Background

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a syndrome of refractory vasculitis involving the upper respiratory tract, lungs, kidneys, and systemic small and medium-sized arteries that affects all age groups. No pediatric case with a bloody pericardial effusion resulting in cardiac tamponade and co-existing hematochezia has been reported.

Case presentation

A 14-year-old boy was referred for evaluation of prolonged fever, chest pain, and intermittent hematochezia. Diagnostic imaging showed a prominent pericardial effusion. Immediately after admission, his systolic blood pressure decreased. Emergent pericardiocentesis resulted in aspiration of a massive amount of bloody pericardial fluid. This was diagnosed as cardiac tamponade because his blood pressure recovered immediately after the drainage. The patient had an elevated serine proteinase 3-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (PR3-ANCA) level on serological examination. Head MRI showed thickening of nasal and sinusoidal mucosa and a cystic mass in the left sphenoid sinus. After ruling out malignancy based on the cytology of the effusion, chest MRI, and gallium scintigraphy, total colonoscopy showed multiple irregular-shaped aphthae from the right transverse colon to the cecum on the contralateral side of the mesenteric attachments. Biopsy specimens of aphthous lesions confirmed necrotizing granulomatous inflammation. A diagnosis of GPA was made based on these findings, and oral prednisolone (PSL) and azathioprine were started. The hematochezia disappeared rapidly, and no recurrence of pericardial effusion was seen after PSL tapering was completed. The PR3-ANCA level decreased into the normal range immediately after the initial therapy.

Conclusions

Pericarditis is a common cardiac complication of GPA, but there have been no reports of resultant cardiac tamponade. This is the first case of pediatric GPA with cardiac and gastrointestinal complications preceding the common symptoms such as respiratory or renal symptoms. A case of pediatric GPA with hematochezia is also extremely rare. In conclusion, serial measurement of ANCA levels is important in patients with persistent fever and bloody stool, such as in inflammatory bowel disease, to make the diagnosis of a vasculitic syndrome.

Retrospective comparison of high-resolution computed tomography of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis with severe asthma

Background

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is often misdiagnosed as severe asthma due to their similar clinical presentations. We compared the pulmonary radiologic features of EGPA to those of severe asthma by high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in order to early diagnose EGPA.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed clinical records and HRCT findings of 96 patients with EGPA and 82 patients with severe asthma who were seen at our hospital from 2011 to 2017. We used a semi-quantitative grading system to evaluate radiological findings. A radiological only and a clinical-radiological model were used to differentiate EGPA from severe asthma.

Results

Bronchial wall thickening, air trapping, tree-in-bud opacities, bronchial mucus plugging, bronchiectasis, diffuse ground-glass opacities (GGOs), consolidation, and increased small vascular markings were more common in EGPA patients than in severe asthmatics (P<0.05). The gradings of GGO (grade 2 vs. grade 1) and tree-in-bud opacities (grade 2 vs. grade 0) were higher in EGPA patients than in severe asthmatics. The total image score of EGPA patients was significantly higher than that of severe asthmatics (P<0.05). In the radiological only and the clinical-radiological model, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves (AUCs) for the identification of EGPA and severe asthma were 0.904 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.860 to 0.948] and 0.974 (95% CI: 0.955 to 0.993), respectively.

Conclusions

Lung HRCT scan is useful in differentiating EGPA from severe asthma. In patients with difficult-to-treat asthma, an HRCT scan of the thorax should be performed should there be features that raise the suspicion of EGPA.

Pulmonary granulomatosis of genetic origin

Granulomatous inflammation of the lung can be a manifestation of different conditions and can be caused by endogenous inflammation or external triggers. A multitude of different genetic mutations can either predispose patients to infections with granuloma-forming pathogens or cause autoinflammatory disorders, both leading to the phenotype of pulmonary granulomatosis. Based on a detailed patient history, physical examination and a diagnostic approach including laboratory workup, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), computed tomography (CT) scans, bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), lung biopsies and specialised microbiological and immunological diagnostics, a correct diagnosis of an underlying cause of pulmonary granulomatosis of genetic origin can be made and appropriate therapy can be initiated. Depending on the underlying disorder, treatment approaches can include antimicrobial therapy, immunosuppression and even haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Patients with immunodeficiencies and autoinflammatory conditions are at the highest risk of developing pulmonary granulomatosis of genetic origin. Here we provide a review on these disorders and discuss pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnostic approach and treatment.

Pulmonary granulomatosis of genetic origin mostly occurs in immunodeficiency disorders and autoinflammatory conditions. In addition to specific approaches in this regard, the diagnostic workup needs to cover environmental and occupational aspects.https://bit.ly/31SqdHW

Pulmonary manifestations of systemic vasculitis in childhood

The systemic vasculitides are a heterogenous group of rare conditions with an incompletely understood aetiology. Any of the systemic vasculitides may cause respiratory disease, but some conditions are more likely to affect the pulmonary system, often through pulmonary infarction and diffuse alveolar haemorrhage. These conditions are often difficult to diagnose due to their rarity and significant clinical overlap with common respiratory conditions. Prompt diagnosis and management can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality.

The systemic vasculitides are often difficult to diagnose due to their rarity and significant clinical overlap with common respiratory conditions. Prompt diagnosis and management can reduce associated morbidity and mortality.https://bit.ly/36M5tTB

Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis: An Unusual Case of Pediatric Subglottic Stenosis

Systemic disease is an uncommon cause of subglottic stenosis (SGS). We report a case of severe SGS due to underlying eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) in a child presenting with isolated stridor. EGPA is a rare systemic vasculitis with very limited cases reported in the pediatric population. While surgical intervention was required given the degree of stenosis in this case, medical management of the underlying systemic disease process is critical when there is clinical suspicion of SGS in the context of systemic vasculitis. Laryngoscope, 131:656-659, 2021.

A Pediatric Case of Relapsing Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Successfully Treated with Mepolizumab

We herein report the first pediatric case (a 13-year-old girl) of relapsing eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) successfully treated with mepolizumab (anti-interleukin-5). She was classified as having EGPA based on the presence of asthma, eosinophilia, pulmonary infiltrates, and extravascular eosinophil infiltration confirmed by a biopsy. She achieved remission after initial oral prednisolone (PSL) therapy, but EGPA relapsed during PSL tapering. Subsequent combined therapy with PSL and tacrolimus did not improve the recurrent disease. Intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy was started, followed by oral PSL. During PSL tapering, mepolizumab was added to the treatment, which resulted in sustained remission and successful PSL tapering.

Pediatric Pulmonology Year in Review 2018: Rare lung disease, neuromuscular disease, and diagnostic testing

Pediatric Pulmonology publishes original research, case reports, and review articles on topics related to a wide range of children's respiratory disorders. In this article, we highlight the past year's publications in the topic areas of rare lung diseases, respiratory complications of neuromuscular disorders, and diagnostic testing, as well as selected literature in these areas from other journals.

An Autopsy Case of a 5-Year-Old Child with Acute Pancreatitis Caused by Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis-like Necrotizing Vasculitis

In children, acute pancreatitis has been reported in IgA vasculitis, Kawasaki disease, systemic lupus erythematosus-associated vasculitis, and juvenile dermatomyositis-associated vasculitis. However, its frequency in these vasculitides has been shown to be low. In other childhood-onset vasculitides, acute pancreatitis is seldom reported. The patient was a 5-year-old Japanese boy who suddenly presented with gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Therapy with antiulcer drugs successfully stopped bleeding, but subsequently, high fever, leukocytosis, and hypoxia appeared. He died 12 days after he presented with GI bleeding. An autopsy unexpectedly revealed that necrotizing vasculitis with marked eosinophilic and histiocytic infiltration of the pancreas led to acute pancreatitis, and gastric ulcer with eosinophilic infiltration was shown to be the origin of GI bleeding. In addition, eosinophilic infiltration was found in the small intestine, lungs, and bone marrow. Necrotizing vasculitis with eosinophilic and histiocytic infiltration of the pancreas, eosinophilic infiltration of the airway wall, and eosinophilic gastroenteritis with gastric ulcer were histologically confirmed, suggesting that the present case may be an early stage of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis- (EGPA-) like vasculitis. To our knowledge, this might be the first reported case of EGPA-like vasculitis presenting with acute pancreatitis in a child.

Childhood- Versus Adult-Onset Primary Vasculitides: Are They Part of the Same Clinical Spectrum?

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

Most of the primary vasculitis in children and adults has different clinical manifestations for the same disease, which suggests that they might not be part of the same clinical spectrum and requires a different approach in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality of these patients. In this work, we review the most recent literature and the most important studies that describe and compare adult and children primary vasculitides pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and treatment approach. Accordingly, we discuss recent research involving clinical trials, comparison studies, and pathogeny for these vasculitides.

RECENT FINDINGS

Clinical manifestations in the different primary vasculitis change in predominance from adults to children. There is a female sex predominance for the ANCA vasculitides in children compared with adults, but the same treatment works in most cases for both groups. Identifying the diverse clinical spectrum in both adults and children primary vasculitides will reduce the need to extrapolate the diagnostic criteria from one group to another and individualize it, which will allow the clinician to establish a better approach.

Childhood-Onset Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis with a Vulvar Granuloma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare multisystem necrotizing vasculitis associated with eosinophilia and extravascular granuloma and classically involving the upper and lower airways. There have only been a few reported cases of gynecologic involvement in EGPA.

CASE

We present an 8-year-old girl diagnosed with EGPA with a vulvar granuloma in what is, to our knowledge, the first reported pediatric gynecologic manifestation of EGPA. Interestingly, the vulvar granuloma did not respond to initial immunosuppressant treatment with prednisone and methotrexate and required treatment regimen modification with mycophenolate mofetil resulting in granuloma resolution.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

EGPA in the pediatric population has a relatively high mortality rate compared with in the adult population thus it is important that vulvar granulomas associated with EGPA should be included in the differential diagnosis of a vulvar mass allowing for the prompt diagnosis and treatment of this potentially fatal disease in children.

A delayed diagnosis of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis complicated with extensive artery occlusion of lower extremities in children: case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare systemic vasculitis in children. A delayed or missed diagnosis of pediatric EGPA is common, owing to the atypical clinical manifestation and limited recognition of this disorder. The vasculitis in EGPA typically involves small to medium size vessels. Extensive occlusion of arteries in the extremities was being extremely rare and has never been reported in children.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 10-year and 10-month-old girl with recurrent wheezing and breathlessness during exercise, was initially diagnosed with asthma at the age of five years. Despite unexplained manifestations, including intermittent remarkably increased eosinophilia, uncontrolled allergic rhinitis, and recurrent petechia, from the onset of asthma through to its remission, the consideration of EGPA was completely ignored until the patient presented with aggravated petechia and severe ulceration of the lower extremities, associated with extensive stenosis and/or occlusion of the arteries of the shank and foot. Given her history of asthma, eosinophilia, allergic rhinitis, mononeuropathy, pulmonary infiltrates, and vasculitis confirmed by the skin biopsy, the diagnosis of EGPA was ultimately confirmed. Regrettably, the initial inappropriate and irrational use of corticosteroid failed to relieve the symptoms until more aggressive treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone was started. This was followed by methotrexate treatment, with tapering of prednisone, without relapse over a six-month follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric rheumatologists should be alert to the possibility of EGPA in children with refractory asthma associated with unexplained manifestations, and should be aware of the thromboembolic complications as vascular sequelae of EGPA.