Necrotizing ANCA-Positive Glomerulonephritis Secondary to Culture-Negative Endocarditis

Clinicopathological differences between Bartonella and other bacterial endocarditis-related glomerulonephritis - our experience and a pooled analysis

Background

Although Staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of acute infective endocarditis (IE) in adults, Bartonella spp. has concomitantly emerged as the leading cause of "blood culture-negative IE" (BCNE). Pre-disposing factors, clinical presentation and kidney biopsy findings in Bartonella IE-associated glomerulonephritis (GN) show subtle differences and some unique features relative to other bacterial infection-related GNs. We highlight these features along with key diagnostic clues and management approach in Bartonella IE-associated GN.

Methods

We conducted a pooled analysis of 89 cases of Bartonella IE-associated GN (54 published case reports and case series; 18 published conference abstracts identified using an English literature search of several commonly used literature search modalities); and four unpublished cases from our institution.

Results

Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana are the most commonly implicated species causing IE in humans. Subacute presentation, affecting damaged native and/or prosthetic heart valves, high titer anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), mainly proteinase-3 (PR-3) specificity, fastidious nature and lack of positive blood cultures of these Gram-negative bacilli, a higher frequency of focal glomerular crescents compared to other bacterial infection-related GNs are some of the salient features of Bartonella IE-associated GN. C3-dominant, but frequent C1q and IgM immunofluorescence staining is seen on biopsy. A "full-house" immunofluorescence staining pattern is also described but can be seen in IE -associated GN due to other bacteria as well. Non-specific generalized symptoms, cytopenia, heart failure and other organ damage due to embolic phenomena are the highlights on clinical presentation needing a multi-disciplinary approach for management. Awareness of the updated modified Duke criteria for IE, a high index of suspicion for underlying infection despite negative microbiologic cultures, history of exposure to animals, particularly infected cats, and use of send-out serologic tests for Bartonella spp. early in the course of management can help in early diagnosis and initiation of appropriate treatment.

Conclusion

Diagnosis of IE-associated GN can be challenging particularly with BCNE. The number of Bartonella IE-associated GN cases in a single institution tends to be less than IE due to gram positive cocci, however Bartonella is currently the leading cause of BCNE. We provide a much-needed discussion on this topic.

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in infective endocarditis: a case report and systematic review of the literature

Infective endocarditis (IE) may be misdiagnosed as ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), especially when antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) are detected. Distinguishing IE from AAV is crucial to guide therapy. However, little is known about ANCA positivity in IE patients. We present a case report and systematic review of the literature on patients with ANCA-positive IE, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of this entity and to aid clinicians in their decisions when encountering a similar case. A systematic review of papers on original cases of ANCA-positive IE without a previous diagnosis of AAV was conducted on PubMed in accordance with PRISMA-IPD guidelines. A predefined set of clinical, laboratory, and kidney biopsy findings was extracted for each patient and presented as a narrative and quantitative synthesis. A total of 74 reports describing 181 patients with ANCA-positive IE were included (a total of 182 cases including our own case). ANCA positivity was found in 18-43% of patients with IE. Patients usually presented with subacute IE (73%) and had positive cytoplasmic ANCA-staining or anti-proteinase-3 antibodies (79%). Kidney function was impaired in 72%; kidney biopsy findings were suggestive of immune complexes in 59%, while showing pauci-immune glomerulonephritis in 37%. All were treated with antibiotics; 39% of patients also received immunosuppressants. During follow-up, 69% of patients became ANCA-negative and no diagnosis of systemic vasculitis was reported. This study reviewed the largest series of patients with ANCA-positive IE thus far and shows the overlap in clinical manifestations between IE and AAV. We therefore emphasize that clinicians should be alert to the possibility of an underlying infection when treating a patient with suspected AAV, even when reassured by ANCA positivity. Key Points • This systematic review describes - to our knowledge - the largest series of patients with ANCA-positive infective endocarditis (IE) thus far (N=182), and shows a high degree of overlap in clinical manifestations between IE and ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). • ANCA positivity was found in 18-43% of patients with infective endocarditis. Of patients with ANCA-positive IE, the majority (79%) showed cytoplasmic ANCA-staining or anti-PR3-antibodies. We emphasize that clinicians should be alert to the possibility of an underlying infection when treating a patient with suspected AAV, even when reassured by ANCA positivity. • In patients with IE and ANCA-associated symptoms such as acute kidney injury, an important clinical challenge is the initiation of immunosuppressive therapy. All patients with data in this series received antibiotics; 39% also received immunosuppressive therapy. In many of these patients, ANCA-associated symptoms resolved or stabilized after infection was treated. ANCA titers became negative in 69% , and a diagnosis of AAV was made in none of the cases. We therefore recommend that (empiric) antibiotic treatment remains the therapeutic cornerstone for ANCA-positive IE patients, while a watchful wait-and-see approach with respect to immunosuppression is advised.

Bartonella quintana Infection Manifesting as Leucocytoclastic Vasculitis Rash

We present the first case described in the literature of leucocytoclastic vasculitis due to Bartonella quintana infection. A 73-year-old woman presented to the hospital with persistent fevers, retro-orbital headache, generalized weakness, and left lower thigh pain for 1 week. She was found to have truncal and proximal lower extremity papules and small plaques. Serology revealed Bartonella quintana immunoglobulin M (IgM) titer of 1:256 with undetectable Bartonella quintana immunoglobulin G (IgG) and undetectable Bartonella henselae IgG and IgM. Skin biopsy of an abdominal lesion revealed fibrinoid necrosis of vessel walls in the superficial and mid-dermis consistent with leucocytoclastic vasculitis. Doxycycline 100 mg orally twice daily was initiated, after which she had defervescence within 36 hours and rapid improvement of other presenting symptoms.

Glomerulonephritis Caused by Bartonella spp. Infective Endocarditis: The Difficulty and Importance of Differentiation from Anti-neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-related Rapidly Progressive Glomerulonephritis

A 65-year-old man with valvular disorder presented to his physician because of widespread purpura in both lower extremities. Blood tests showed elevated serum creatinine levels and proteinase 3-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) with hematuria, suggesting ANCA-related rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN). Although multiple blood cultures were negative, transthoracic echocardiography revealed warts in the valves, and a renal biopsy also showed findings of glomerular infiltration by mononuclear leukocytes and C3 deposition in the glomeruli, suggesting infection-related glomerulonephritis. Later, Bartonella antibody turned positive. Antimicrobial treatment improved the purpura and renal function without any recurrence. ANCA-positive RPGN requires the exclusion of infective endocarditis, especially that induced by Bartonella spp.

Clinical Manifestations Associated with Bartonella henselae Infection in a Tropical Region

Bartonella henselae is a zoonotic Gram-negative Bacillus associated with self-limited regional lymphadenopathy. In recent decades, an expanding spectrum of clinical manifestations has been described, in part, due to improved diagnostics. However, updated epidemiological data are sparse. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical features of 31 patients with B. henselae infection over 15 years from 2005 to 2019, in the tropical Top End of Australia. Our annual disease incidence of 1.3 cases per 100,000 population is lower than that in the national database surveillances in the United States, but the hospitalization incidence of 0.9 per 100,000 population in our region is higher than those reported in the literature, with an average length of stay of 9 days. Patients were more commonly male, aboriginal, and aged less than 14 years (median age: 7 years), living in a rural setting with presentation during our monsoon season. The disease spectrum included lymph node disease (74%), organ peliosis, endocarditis, cutaneous lesions, parapharyngeal abscess, parotitis, and neurologic and ocular syndromes. Lymph node disease was far commoner in children than the more serious systemic B. henselae infections associated with adults (P = 0.074). Although no deaths were reported, significant morbidities were observed. Two endocarditis cases presented with glomerulonephritis, and hematological and neurological features mimicking vasculitis, and consequently received immunosuppressants. One case was only diagnosed after representation with serial embolic strokes. Given the heterogeneity of disease manifestations with nonspecific symptoms and significant consequences, a timely and accurate diagnosis is needed to avoid unnecessary treatments or interventions.

Diagnostic Abilities for Determining the Level of Blood Cryoglobulins in the Choice of Tactics for Operations on the Small Intestine

The study of the incidence of cryoglobulinemia is relevant in patients with an intestinal anastomotic leak. This study aims to determine a laboratory marker of the risk of small intestine anastomotic leak. The study was based on 96 patients who were subjected to resections of segments of the small intestine with the formation of intestinal anastomoses at the State Institution “Zaytsev V.T. Institute of General and Urgent Surgery of National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine”. Of all the operated patients, there were 55.2% women and 44.8% men. Of the 96 patients examined, cryoglobulinemia was detected in the majority – 62.5% of patients, of which 4 were later proved to have inactive hepatitis C; the remaining 38.5% had no cryoglobulinemia. According to the existing theory of the autoimmune mechanism of postoperative surgical complications formation, the revealed decrease in the level of cryoglobulins on the second day could be related to their fixation in the microcirculatory bed and the development of immunocomplex inflammation. While the increase in the content of cryoglobulins in serum on the third day can be caused by their entry into the circulatory bed from deposition or fixation sites and the development of a secondary immune response. In patients with intestinal anastomosis failure after resection of intestinal segments, cryoglobulinemia rates increased more than 80 mg/l; this indicator could be used as a marker of postoperative complications.

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-positive infective endocarditis complicated by acute kidney injury: a case report and literature review

Patients with infective endocarditis (IE) may present with multisystem disturbances resembling autoimmune diseases, such as antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). The kidneys are susceptible to damage in IE and AAV, which is a source of diagnostic ambiguity. Therefore, distinguishing infection from an inflammatory process is pivotal for guiding appropriate therapy. We report a 22-year-old man with IE characterized by ANCA positivity and complicated by acute kidney injury. A renal biopsy showed crescentic nephritis with tubulointerstitial lesions. However, transthoracic echocardiography and blood culture provided evidence of IE, and AAV was ruled out. Surgical intervention and antibiotic treatments were successful. We summarized previously reported cases of ANCA-positive IE that had renal biopsy data. We found that ANCA-positive IE can involve multiple organs. The representative renal pathology was crescentic nephritis, focal segmental glomerulonephritis, mesangial cell proliferation, tubular injury, and interstitial oedema. Immunofluorescence showed predominate C3 deposits. Electron microscopy showed electron-dense deposits in the subendothelial or mesangial areas. Eight patients received immunosuppressive therapy with excellent results. Repeated testing for bacterial pathogens and multiple renal biopsies may be useful for diagnosing ANCA-positive IE. With ANCA-positive IE, immunosuppressive therapy along with antibiotic treatments may be beneficial for recovery of renal function.

Diagnostic and treatment challenge of unrecognized subacute bacterial endocarditis associated with ANCA-PR3 positive immunocomplex glomerulonephritis: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Diagnosis and treatment of either ANCA disease or silent infection-related glomerulonephritis is complicated and is a huge treatment challenge when overlapping clinical manifestations occur. We report a case of ANCA-PR3 glomerulonephritis, nervous system involvement, hepatosplenomegaly and clinically silent subacute infectious endocarditis.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 57-year-old man with known mitral valve prolaps was admitted for unexplained renal failure with signs of nephritic syndrome, hepatosplenomegaly, sudden unilateral hearing loss, vertigo, malaise, new onset hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia. Immunoserology revealed positive c-anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)/anti-proteinase 3 (anti-PR3), mixed type crioglobulinemia and lowered complement fraction C3. Head MRI showed many microscopic hemorrhages. Common site of infection, as well as solid malignoma were ruled out. In accordance with clinical and laboratory findings, systemic vasculitis was assumed, although the etiology remained uncertain (ANCA-associated, cryoglobulinemic or related to unrecognized infection). After kidney biopsy, clinical signs of sepsis appeared. Blood cultures revealed Streptococcus cristatus. Echocardiography showed mitral valve endocarditis. Kidney biopsy revealed proliferative, necrotizing immunocomplex glomerulonephritis. Half a year later, following intravenous immunoglobulins, glucocorticoids, antibiotic therapy and surgical valve repair, the creatinine level decreased and c-ANCA and cryoglobulins disappeared. A second kidney biopsy revealed no residual kidney disease. Four years after treatment, the patient is stable with no symptoms or signs of vasculitis recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Here we describe the diagnostic and treatment challenge in a patient with unrecognized subacute bacterial endocarditis associated with ANCA-PR3 immunocomplex proliferative and crescentic glomerulonephritis. In patients with ANCA-PR3 immunocomplex glomerulonephritis and other overlapping manifestations suggesting systemic disease, it is important to recognize and aggressively treat any possible coexisting bacterial endocarditis, This is the most important step for a favorable patient outcome, including complete clinical and pathohistological resolution of the glomerulonephritis.

Proteinase 3-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-positive necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis complicated by infectious endocarditis: a case report

Background

Proteinase 3-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody has been reported to be positive in 5–10% of cases of renal injury complicated by infective endocarditis; however, histological findings have rarely been reported for these cases.

Case presentation

A 71-year-old Japanese man with a history of aortic valve replacement developed rapidly progressive renal dysfunction with gross hematuria and proteinuria. Blood analysis showed a high proteinase 3-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (163 IU/ml) titer. Streptococcus species was detected from two separate blood culture bottles. Transesophageal echocardiography detected mitral valve vegetation. Histological evaluation of renal biopsy specimens showed necrosis and cellular crescents in glomeruli without immune complex deposition. The patient met the modified Duke criteria for definitive infective endocarditis. On the basis of these findings, the patient was diagnosed with proteinase 3-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-positive necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis complicated by Streptococcus infective endocarditis. His renal disease improved, and his proteinase 3-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody titer normalized with antibiotic monotherapy.

Conclusion

Few case reports have described histological findings of proteinase 3-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-positive renal injury complicated with infective endocarditis. We believe that an accumulation of histological findings and treatments is mandatory for establishment of optimal management for proteinase 3-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-positive renal injury complicated with infective endocarditis.

Bartonella Endocarditis Mimicking Crescentic Glomerulonephritis with PR3-ANCA Positivity

Bartonella henselae is a fastidious organism that causes cat scratch disease, commonly associated with fever and lymphadenopathy but, in rare instances, also results in culture-negative infectious endocarditis. We describe a patient who presented with flank pain, splenic infarct, and acute kidney injury with an active urinary sediment, initially suspicious for vasculitis, which was subsequently diagnosed as B. henselae endocarditis. Bartonella endocarditis may present with a crescentic glomerulonephritis (GN) and elevated PR3-ANCA antibody titers, mimicking ANCA-associated GN, with 54 cases reported in the literature. Unique to our case in this series is a positive PR3-ANCA antibody despite a negative IIF-ANCA. Thus, the presentation of Bartonella can mimic ANCA-associated GN, and renal biopsy showing immune complex deposition is critical for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Bartonella endocarditis in a child with tetralogy of Fallot complicated by PR3-ANCA positive serology, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and acute kidney injury

Although the role of ANCA in infective endocarditis is unclear, Bartonella henselae has been implicated as the culprit in cases of PR3-ANCA positive subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE) with glomerulonephritis. In this case, a Coombs-positive autoimmune hemolytic anemia and glomerulonephritis accompanied a PR3-ANCA positive SBE caused by Bartonella henselae.