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Przygocka A, Berti GM, Campus A, Tondolo F, Vischini G, Fabbrizio B, La Manna G, Baraldi O. Rituximab as possible therapy in TNF inhibitor-induced IgA vasculitis with severe renal involvement. BMC Nephrol 2023; 24:381. [PMID: 38124070 PMCID: PMC10731765 DOI: 10.1186/s12882-023-03439-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We observe the increasing use of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors in patients affected by chronic inflammatory diseases. These drugs provide good control of symptoms, contributing to significant improvement in the quality of life in individuals with high disease burden. On the other hand, along with their wider use and longer follow-up periods the number of reports regarding their adverse effects is also increasing. The reported complications include drug-induced vasculitis with possible kidney involvement. In the literature we can distinguish more frequently described ANCA-associated vasculitis and more rarely occurring immunoglobulin A vasculitis. Although uncommon, such complications may present with potentially life-threatening vital organ dysfunction; therefore, adequate monitoring and effective therapy are necessary. CASE PRESENTATION We report two cases of TNF inhibitor-induced vasculitis with severe acute worsening of renal function and significant proteinuria. The first patient was receiving golimumab therapy for ankylosing spondylitis and the second patient was treated with adalimumab for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. In the second case dialysis treatment was necessary and the patient presented recurrence of vasculitis after rechallenge with adalimumab. Both patients underwent renal biopsy which showed findings compatible with drug-induced IgA vasculitis and both were treated successfully with corticosteroids and rituximab. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of rituximab use in drug-induced IgA vasculitis with renal involvement. Combination of corticosteroids and rituximab can be an effective therapy in case of vasculitis with kidney failure and a preferable option for selected patients with drug-induced IgA vasculitis compared to cyclophosphamide. More studies are necessary to establish suitable short- and long-term treatment. Given the rarity of this disorder, case reports and case series can provide practical guidance until additional studies become available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Przygocka
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy, Via Giuseppe Massarenti 9, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gian Marco Berti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy, Via Giuseppe Massarenti 9, Bologna, Italy
| | - Anita Campus
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy, Via Giuseppe Massarenti 9, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Tondolo
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Giuseppe Massarenti 9, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gisella Vischini
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Giuseppe Massarenti 9, Bologna, Italy
| | - Benedetta Fabbrizio
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Giuseppe Massarenti 9, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gaetano La Manna
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy, Via Giuseppe Massarenti 9, Bologna, Italy.
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Giuseppe Massarenti 9, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Olga Baraldi
- Nephrology, Dialysis and Kidney Transplant Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Giuseppe Massarenti 9, Bologna, Italy
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