[A review of allergic granulomatous angitis (AGA) (Churg-Strauss syndrome)]

We reported clinical features of 11 patients with Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS). Subjects included 2 males and 9 females with a mean age of 56.3 year-old. The age of the onset of bronchial asthma was high, and most of the patients had been suffered from frequent and severe asthmatic attacks during the period preceding the vasculitis. At the onset of the disease, patients showed a variety of vasculitic symptoms, including fever and neuropathy. Peripheral blood eosinophilia was universally seen. Three patients died of heart failure or central nerve involvement. Vasculitis ameliorated in 8 cases following steroid treatment. Discontinuing maintenance therapy with low-dose steroid resulted in a relapse in only one case. The significance and indication for long-term maintenance therapy should be further clarified. Based on these findings and previous publications, the clinical characteristics of CSS in Japan are discussed.