c-ANCA associated vasculitis in patients with ulcerative colitis: case report

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Gastroenterology
• Immunology

Background:

• Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
• Pulmonary manifestations of UC are uncommon but can affect airways, lung parenchyma, and pleura.
• Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) are frequently observed in inflammatory bowel disease, typically as p-ANCA.

Observation:

• A patient with ulcerative colitis presented with positive cytoplasmic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (c-ANCA).
• This patient subsequently developed hemoptysis, a rare symptom in UC.
• Radiological imaging revealed findings indicative of pulmonary vasculitis.

Findings:

• The case demonstrates a rare presentation of ulcerative colitis with a positive c-ANCA pattern.
• The development of hemoptysis and pulmonary vasculitis in this context is highly unusual.
• This suggests a potential link between c-ANCA positivity and severe pulmonary complications in UC patients.

Implications:

• This case expands the understanding of potential pulmonary complications in ulcerative colitis.
• It underscores the importance of considering pulmonary vasculitis in UC patients presenting with hemoptysis and ANCA positivity.
• Further research may elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms linking UC, ANCA, and pulmonary vasculitis.