[Churg-Strauss syndrome (AGA) in Japan]

Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a rare disease belonging to the group of necrotizing vasculitis. With introduction of guideline therapy for bronchial asthma, many patients have enjoyed the benefit regardless their etiology of asthma. Recently, however, there have been multiple case reports of CSS with relation to leukotriene modifiers, leading to a concern of the potential risk association with the development of CSS and the treatment. We have analyzed recent 16 cases of CSS in our group. Twelve cases had been prescribed steroids (7 oral steroid and 5 inhaled steroid) for a treatment of asthma. Three cases had taken leukotriene modifiers. But two of them were under steroid reduction course. It remains unclear what the exact mechanism of this syndrome is, but physicians must be wary for the signs of CSS, particularly in patients with asthma in whom corticosteroids are tapered.