Fatal pulmonary-renal syndrome manifested with immune complex crescentic glomerulonephritis in a patient with MPO-ANCA seropositivity

Exploring the Link between Varicella-Zoster Virus, Autoimmune Diseases, and the Role of Recombinant Zoster Vaccine

The varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a human neurotropic herpes virus responsible for varicella and herpes zoster (HZ). Following primary infection in childhood, VZV manifests as varicella (chickenpox) and enters a period of latency within the dorsal root ganglion. A compromised cellular immune response due to aging or immunosuppression triggers viral reactivation and the development of HZ (shingles). Patients with autoimmune diseases have a higher risk of developing HZ owing to the immunodeficiency associated with the disease itself and/or the use of immunosuppressive agents. The introduction of new immunosuppressive agents with unique mechanisms has expanded the treatment options for autoimmune diseases but has also increased the risk of HZ. Specifically, Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors and anifrolumab have raised concerns regarding HZ. Despite treatment advances, a substantial number of patients suffer from complications such as postherpetic neuralgia for prolonged periods. The adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) is considered safe and effective even in immunocompromised patients. The widespread adoption of RZV may reduce the health and socioeconomic burdens of HZ patients. This review covers the link between VZV and autoimmune diseases, assesses the risk of HZ associated with immunosuppressant use, and discusses the benefits and risks of using RZV in patients with autoimmune diseases.

Glomerular disease in patients with infectious processes developing antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies

To identify differences in treatment and outcome of various types of glomerulonephritis developing in the course of infections triggering antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) formation, we analyzed published reports of 50 patients. Immunosuppressives were added to antibiotics in 22 of 23 patients with pauci-immune glomerulonephritis. Improvement was noted in 85% of 20 patients with information on outcomes. Death rate was 13%. Corticosteroids were added to antibiotics in about 50% of 19 patients with postinfectious glomerulonephritis. Improvement rate was 74%, and death rate was 26%. Two patients with mixed histological features were analyzed under both pauci-immune and post-infectious glomerulonephritis categories. In 9 patients with other renal histology, treatment consisted of antibiotics alone (7 patients), antibiotics plus immunosuppressives (1 patient), or immunosuppressives alone (1 patient). Improvement rate was 67%, permanent renal failure rate was 22%, and death rate was 11%. One patient with antiglomerular basement disease glomerulonephritis required maintenance hemodialysis. Glomerulonephritis developing in patients who became ANCA-positive during the course of an infection is associated with significant mortality. The histological type of the glomerulonephritis guides the choice of treatment. Pauci-immune glomerulonephritis is usually treated with addition of immunosuppressives to antibiotics.

Childhood microscopic polyangiitis associated with MPO-ANCA

We reviewed the clinical, histological and serological parameters of microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) specific to myeloperoxidase (MPO). Six girls and one boy aged 12.0+/-2.6 years (7-15 years) met the following inclusion criteria: (1) clinical manifestations of systemic small vessel involvement; (2) histological demonstration of pauci-immune necrotizing glomerulonephritis; and (3) serological findings of increased concentration of MPO-ANCA by ELISA test. The main clinical manifestations were: influenza-like symptoms (100%), hematuria/proteinuria (100%), purpura (100%), pulmonary-renal syndrome (57%), acute renal failure (ARF) (29%), ischemic cerebral insults (29%), and necrotizing vasculitis of the skin (29%). All patients underwent renal biopsy examined by immunohistochemistry with expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha SMA) in glomerular and interstitial spaces. Patients were followed from 6 months to 5.5 years (35.4+/- 23.2 months). None of the patients died. Two of seven children who had ARF progressed to end stage renal disease; one developed chronic renal failure, and four normalized renal function. ARF and central nervous system involvement at presentation were parameters of poor renal outcome. A high score of fibro-cellular glomerular crescents was associated with worse prognosis. Early treatment enables a favorable prognosis of MPO-ANCA-associated MPA in children.