Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2025

An Immunohistopathologic Study to Profile the Folate Receptor Beta Macrophage and Vascular Immune Microenvironment in Giant Cell Arteritis
Published on: February 8, 2019
Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis: A Clinical Case
Filipa Rodrigues1, Ana Isabel Oliveira Sá1, Marta Mendes1
1Internal Medicine, Hospital of Braga, Braga, PRT.
Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is characterized by inflammation and the destruction of small- and medium-caliber blood vessels in the presence of circulating ANCAs. Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis predominantly affects the lung and kidney with a multifactorial pathogenesis. This case refers to a 55-year-old woman with constitutional symptoms, hypoacusis, cough, and bloody sputum. Physical examination revealed polypnea and decreased lung auscultation at the bases; blood work showed elevated inflammatory parameters, acute kidney injury, and hematuria; pulmonary computed tomography revealed areas of peribronchial thickening in both lungs; immunological study resulted in positive ANCA-PR3. Corticotherapy and double immunosuppression with cyclophosphamide and rituximab were initiated, which resulted in clinical and analytical improvement. This case of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), with pulmonary, renal, cutaneous, and ear involvement, allows us to demonstrate the importance of timely clinical suspicion and initiation of immunosuppression for a favorable disease prognosis.
Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is characterized by inflammation and the destruction of small- and medium-caliber blood vessels in the presence of circulating ANCAs. Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis predominantly affects the lung and kidney with a multifactorial pathogenesis. This case refers to a 55-year-old woman with constitutional symptoms, hypoacusis, cough, and bloody sputum. Physical examination revealed polypnea and decreased lung auscultation at the bases; blood work showed elevated inflammatory parameters, acute kidney injury, and hematuria; pulmonary computed tomography revealed areas of peribronchial thickening in both lungs; immunological study resulted in positive ANCA-PR3. Corticotherapy and double immunosuppression with cyclophosphamide and rituximab were initiated, which resulted in clinical and analytical improvement. This case of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), with pulmonary, renal, cutaneous, and ear involvement, allows us to demonstrate the importance of timely clinical suspicion and initiation of immunosuppression for a favorable disease prognosis.
Related Concept Videos
Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction
Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations
Nephrotic Syndrome II : Assessment and Medical Management
Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

