Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis: Recurrence or Treatment Consequences?

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is the most common antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). We describe the case of a 38-year-old woman with relapsing GPA who presented with intracranial hypertension, followed by the appearance of cavitated lung nodules despite treatment with azathioprine. Clinical improvement and ANCA titre reduction were observed after rituximab treatment. We report a rare form of GPA relapse and highlight the challenge of following-up patients with GPA, in whom can be hard to distinguish relapse from the consequences of long-term immunosuppression.

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a rare inflammatory disease with pauci-immune focal necrotising lesions that affect small and medium vessels. It has a wide clinical presentation, affecting mainly the upper and lower respiratory tract and kidneys.Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is frequently associated with PR3-ANCA and is risk factor for relapse.Follow-up of ANCA titres, which may rise before the development of symptoms, is crucial for recurrence diagnosis. Titres can also be used to distinguish recurrence from the consequences of long-term immunosuppression.