Alveolar Hemorrhage in Vasculitis (Primary and Secondary)

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (04) ◽  
pp. 482-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mouhamad Nasser ◽  
Vincent Cottin

AbstractDefined by the accumulation of red blood cells into the alveolar space, diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a severe and potentially fatal medical condition requiring careful attention. In contrast to simple extravasation of erythrocytes facilitated by impaired hemostasis or hemodynamic causes, DAH in vasculitis is due to capillaritis, that is, inflammation of capillaries. Dyspnea, hemoptysis, chest infiltrates, and abrupt fall of blood hemoglobin level represent the cardinal features of DAH; yet, hemoptysis is lacking in one-third of cases. Bronchoalveolar lavage, retrieving bright red fluid, is the best diagnostic clue, also excluding infection and other causes of hemoptysis. Although not recommended, lung biopsy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of DAH and pulmonary capillaritis. Pulmonary capillaritis may be primary as in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis or secondary to drugs (especially antithyroid drugs such as propylthiouracil), infections, connective tissue diseases especially systemic lupus erythematosus, or other small vessel vasculitides. Newer toxic causes of drugs of abuse may be difficult to diagnose. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis are the most common causes of capillaritis and DAH, whereas DAH is extremely rare in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. When pulmonary capillaritis is not secondary to underlying systemic vasculitis, idiopathic pauci-immune pulmonary capillaritis may be considered, with or without ANCA. Supportive treatment strategy is mandatory in all cases of DAH. Mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation may be used in severe cases. Early identification and removal of the putative drug is crucial in drug-induced vasculitis/DAH and may obviate the need for immunosuppressive therapy. High-dose corticosteroids, intravenous cyclophosphamide, and recently rituximab are the mainstay of treatment in vasculitis. Plasma exchange is recommended in anti–glomerular basement membrane disease and in severe DAH associated with systemic lupus erythematosus and is used in selected cases in ANCA-associated vasculitis.

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1551.1-1552
Author(s):  
V. Mazurov ◽  
O. Shadrivova ◽  
M. Shostak ◽  
L. Martynova ◽  
M. Tonkoshkur ◽  
...  

Background:Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a severe opportunistic infection that is not well understood in rheumatological patients.Objectives:To study risk factors, etiology, clinical manifestations and results of treatment of IA in adult rheumatological patients.Methods:Retrospective analysis of 830 patients (1998-2019) with “proven” and “probable” IA (EORTC / MSG, 2019), adults - 699 (84%). The main group included 18 (3%) adult rheumatological patients with IA, a control group included 610 (87%) adult hematological patients. Rheumatological patients were older, the average age was 59 years (21–75) vs 45 years (18–79), p = 0.005, and among them there were more women – 56% vs 42%, p = 0.01.Results:In rheumatological patients with IA, underlying diseases were ANCA-associated vasculitis (28%), granulomatosis with polyangiitis (22%), periarteritis (11%), systemic lupus erythematosus (22%), rheumatic heart disease (11%) and ankylosing spondylitis (6%). In the control group, underlying diseases were acute leukemia (45%), lymphomas (34%), chronic leukemia (9%), multiple myeloma (7%), myelodysplastic syndrome (3%), and other hematological diseases (2%).The main risk factors for IA development in rheumatological patients were: systemic steroids use (89% vs 69%), prolonged lymphocytopenia (76% vs 65%, median - 14 vs 12 days), treatment in ICU (44% vs 18%, p = 0.01), acute or chronic renal failure (39% vs 1%, p = 0.0008) and immunosuppressive therapy (28% vs 25%). Severe neutropenia was noted significantly less frequently (18% vs 83%, p = 0.0001). Additional risk factors were decompensated diabetes mellitus (17% vs 2%, p = 0.004), previous surgery (17% vs 1%, p = 0.001) and organ transplantation (6% vs 0%). In rheumatological patients, lung (83% vs 98%, p = 0.0001) and ≥2 organs (6% vs 8%) involvement were less common. Heart (11% vs 0%), sinuses (6% vs 5%) and central nervous system (6% vs 4%) involvement more often developed. In rheumatological patients, respiratory failure (61 vs 37%, p = 0.03), hemoptysis (28% vs 7%, p = 0.0001) and chest pain (17% vs 7%, p = 0, 04) were noted more often, less often - fever ≥380С (67% vs 85%, p = 0.01) and cough (61% vs 70%). CT signs of lung damage were similar in both groups, but rheumatologic patients were more likely to show an «air crescent» sign and / or destruction cavity (44% vs 10%, p = 0.0001). In rheumatologic patients, IA was more often confirmed by isolation ofAspergillusspp. from BAL (80% vs 45%, p = 0.005) and by histological examination (22% vs 7%, p = 0.01). The main pathogens wereA. fumigatus(50% vs 43%),A. niger(29% vs 32%), andA. flavus(14% vs 17%).Rheumatological patients were less likely to receive antifungal therapy 89% vs 99%, p = 0,0003. The main drug in both groups was voriconazole. The overall 12-week survival did not significantly differ between groups, but was lower in rheumatological patients with IA (69% vs 81%).Conclusion:In rheumatological patients, invasive aspergillosis more often developed at an older age, mainly in women. The main background diseases were ANCA-associated vasculitis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Typical risk factors were steroids and immunosuppressants use, prolonged lymphocytopenia, ICU stay, and renal failure. The main causative agents wereA. fumigatus,A. niger, andA. flavus. The main localization of infection were lungs. Respiratory failure, hemoptysis and heart involvement were typical. The overall 12-week survival of rheumatological patients with invasive aspergillosis was 69%.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Montes-Rivera ◽  
Grissel Ríos ◽  
Luis M. Vilá

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a life-threatening complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Although infrequent, its mortality is very high. While there are no established therapeutic guidelines, DAH has been traditionally managed with high-dose intravenous (IV) corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, and plasma exchange. The efficacy of alternative therapies such as rituximab has been described only in a few cases. Herein, we report a 25-year-old Hispanic man who presented with acute-onset SLE manifested by polyarthralgia, nephritis, seizures, pancytopenia, severe hypocomplementemia, and elevated anti-dsDNA antibodies. His disease course was complicated by DAH. His condition was refractory to high-dose intravenous (IV) methylprednisolone pulses, IV cyclophosphamide, and plasmapheresis. Given the lack of clinical response, he was started on IV rituximab 375 mg/m2 weekly for a total of four courses. He rapidly improved after the first two doses. Over the next seven months, he did not present recurrent pulmonary symptoms. Follow-up chest computed tomography did not show residual abnormalities. This case, together with other reports, suggests that rituximab is an effective therapeutic option for DAH in SLE.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ravi Paul Singh Virdi ◽  
Adeel Bashir ◽  
Ghulamullah Shahzad ◽  
Javed Iqbal ◽  
Jose O. Mejia

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a rare life-threatening complication in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) associated with high mortality rates. DAH is more common in women, and mean age of onset is around 30 years. It mostly occurs in patients with established diagnosis of SLE but can be the initial presentation of lupus in approximately 20%. DAH should be suspected in lupus patient presenting with new pulmonary infiltrates, decline in hemoglobin, hemoptysis, dyspnea, hypoxemia, and increase in carbon monoxide diffusion capacity. Radiographic evidence of bilateral pulmonary alveolar infiltrates that are usually perihilar or basilar with sparing of apices is seen. DAH can often mimic clinically and radiologically severe pneumonia or ARDS. Treatment includes high-dose corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, and plasmapheresis. We report a case of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage complicating SLE flare-up in a male patient.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1433.1-1433
Author(s):  
J. G. Rademacher ◽  
V. Korendovych ◽  
P. Korsten

Background:The anti-CD20 antibody rituximab (RTX) is approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). In addition, RTX is used in a wide range of autoimmune diseases. Belimumab (BEL) is an anti-BAFF antibody approved for the treatment of non-renal systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Europe. These agents are generally well-tolerated but severe adverse events (AEs) can occur. The frequency of and factors associated with AEs are currently unknown.Objectives:To identify adverse events with the use of B-cell directed therapies in a large population of RA, AAV, and SLE.Methods:This is a single-center retrospective cohort study using routine clinical data over a ten-year period (2010-2020). We recorded epidemiological and clinical data of patients receiving either BEL or RTX. Data included age, gender, type of disease, number and efficacy of infusions, patient-years and concomitant treatment. Patient records were screened for AEs, such as infections, anaphylaxis, occurrence of malignant disease, laboratory abnormalities and immunoglobulin (Ig) deficiency. Between group comparisons were performed.Results:Database screening yielded 445 patients treated with RTX and 23 with BEL. After exclusion of patients with incomplete data, 425 RTX and 23 BEL patients were analyzed.Our preliminary analysis of a sample of 60 of these 448 patients (184 patient-years) resulted in 43 patients (72%) with RA, 8 patients with AAV (13%), 5 patients with a renal disease, and 4 patients with mixed connective tissue disease, as well 23 SLE patients. 46 (77%) were female. In RA, a median of 13 treatments of 1000 mg were administered, corresponding to 3.37 patient-years per patient. Primary non-response occurred in 2 patients, secondary non-response in 13 patients. For AAV, a median of 8.4 treatments were given (3.3 patient-years), no treatment failure was detected. SLE patients received a median of 15 treatments.15 patients had infectious complications during treatment, 11 needed treatment. Herpes zoster infection occurred in 3 patients with RA. Three of the 8 patients with AAV had an infection requiring treatment. In SLE patients, only 2 developed infectious complications, and no Ig-deficiency occurred.Lymphopenia was the most common laboratory abnormality detected in 25 patients with RTX, 19 of whom had RA. Ig deficiency was common in RA, affecting 30% of patients. Deficiency of IgM and IgG was recognized in 5 patients each; 1 patient had low levels IgA.Neither the maintenance prednisolone dosage nor Ig deficiency were associated with risk for infection. However, lymphopenia appeared to be associated with risk for infection.Conclusion:Our preliminary data observe a 184 patient-year period. RTX and BEL were generally associated with few AEs. RA patients frequently had laboratory abnormalities (lymphopenia, Ig-deficiency) which did not necessarily translate to clinical events. Infections were more common in AAV, BEL was the best tolerated B-cell directed agent. Overall, our data are reassuring, but we suggest a more careful vigilance in AAV patients.Disclosure of Interests:Jan-Gerd Rademacher: None declared, Viktor Korendovych: None declared, PETER KORSTEN Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Sanofi Aventis, GSK, Chugai, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Novartis, Consultant of: Lilly, Gilead, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Novartis, GSK, Grant/research support from: GSK


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. e236592
Author(s):  
Ying Ling ◽  
Mary Jane Bell ◽  
Lisa Chodirker ◽  
Shirley Lake

A high functioning 74-year-old man with systemic lupus erythematosus presented to the emergency department with acute anxiety. He was found to have elevated cardiac enzymes and admitted to the cardiology service for investigation. In hospital, he developed an erythematous papular rash, and deteriorated to being somnolent and bedridden. He was found to have new multiterritory ischaemic strokes. It was eventually noted that he had persistent eosinophilia, present even on admission, which had been overlooked as the total leucocyte count was normal. Serology for antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) was positive. He was diagnosed with hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) secondary to new APS, and responded to high-dose steroids. This case highlights the importance of fully evaluating a leucocyte differential to make a diagnosis of HES. We discuss the definition, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approach and management of this important condition.


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 264-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruna A. de Holanda ◽  
Isabela G. Menna Barreto ◽  
Isadora S. Gomes de Araujo ◽  
Daniel B. de Araujo

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