Severe eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis responding to a combination of rituximab and mepolizumab

Am J Med Sci. 2023 Jan;365(1):93-98. doi: 10.1016/j.amjms.2022.07.007. Epub 2022 Aug 12.

Abstract

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), formerly known as Churg-Strauss Syndrome, is a multisystem antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) positive vasculitis, characterized by the presence of chronic rhinosinusitis, asthma and prominent peripheral blood eosinophilia. Although the most commonly involved organ is the lung, followed by the skin, EGPA can affect any organ system. Herein, we present the complicated case of an 18-year-old male patient with severe life-threatening EGPA, with central nervous system, cardiac and gasterointestinal involvement, which was resistant to initial treatment with glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide. The patient responded well, achieving complete remission after the addition of rituximab and mepolizumab to glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide.

Keywords: Cyclophosphamide; Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis; Glucocorticoids; Mepolizumab; Rituximab.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
  • Churg-Strauss Syndrome* / complications
  • Churg-Strauss Syndrome* / drug therapy
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis* / complications
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Rituximab / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Rituximab
  • mepolizumab
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic