MPO-ANCA necrotizing glomerulonephritis related to rheumatoid arthritis

Am J Kidney Dis. 1998 Nov;32(5):E6. doi: 10.1016/s0272-6386(98)70153-2.

Abstract

Two patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) developed necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis with high titers of anti-myeloperoxidase antibodies (MPO) in the absence of overt extrarenal vasculitis. We therefore suggest that in some patients with RA, MPO-ANCA necrotizing glomerulonephritis (GN) may occur as a kidney-limited form of rheumatoid vasculitis, and that RA should be added to the list of diseases potentially associated with necrotizing GN with anti-MPO antibodies. These observations also point out the importance of repeatedly evaluating titers of anti-MPO antibodies in the course of RA, especially if renal impairment or abnormal urinary sediment are present.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / analysis*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / complications*
  • Autoantibodies / analysis
  • Biopsy
  • Female
  • Glomerulonephritis / etiology*
  • Glomerulonephritis / pathology
  • Glomerulonephritis / therapy
  • Humans
  • Kidney Glomerulus / pathology
  • Male
  • Peroxidase / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
  • Autoantibodies
  • Peroxidase