scholarly journals Successful Treatment of Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome Using Rituximab: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (9) ◽  
pp. 912
Author(s):  
Cristina Stanescu ◽  
Andreea Gabriella Andronesi ◽  
Ciprian Jurcut ◽  
Mihaela Gherghiceanu ◽  
Alexandra Vornicu ◽  
...  

Background: Kidney involvement is a frequent complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and kidney biopsy is essential in differentiating lupus nephritis (LN) from thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) secondary to antiphospholipid autoantibodies (aPL). Association between antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and acquired hemophilia due to inhibitors was very rarely described in SLE patients. Case presentation: We present the case of a 61-year-old male diagnosed with SLE who acquired deficiency of clotting factor VIII due to circulating inhibitors, admitted for acute kidney injury (AKI), microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and diplopia. Kidney biopsy showed TMA due to APS, but no signs of LN. Head computed tomography identified low dense areas in the white matter, suggesting small blood vessels’ involvement. A diagnosis of probable catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) was established and treatment with low molecular weight heparin, intravenous methylprednisolone, plasmapheresis, and rituximab was initiated, followed by resolution of AKI, diplopia, and TMA with complete depletion of CD19+B-lymphocytes (CD19+B-Ly) after one month. We further review the current knowledge regarding pathogenesis and management of CAPS in SLE patients. Conclusions: Targeted therapy was possible after kidney biopsy, improving renal and general prognosis. CD19+B-Ly repopulation preceded biological relapse, so monitoring of CD19+B-Ly may serve as a tool to predict relapses and guide rituximab therapy.

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 2050313X2091002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umut Selamet ◽  
Ramy M Hanna ◽  
Anthony Sisk ◽  
Lama Abdelnour ◽  
Lena Ghobry ◽  
...  

Drug-induced lupus erythematosus has features distinct from primary systemic lupus erythematosus. It can occur with a wide variety of agents that result in the generation of anti-histone or other types of antibodies. Systemic manifestations of drug-induced systemic lupus erythematosus may include renal dysfunction due to circulating immune complexes or due to other immune reactions to the culprit medication(s). Acute interstitial nephritis occurs due to DNA–drug or protein–drug complexes that trigger an allergic immune response. We report a patient who developed acute kidney injury, rash, and drug-induced systemic lupus diagnosed by serologies after starting chlorthalidone and amiodarone. A renal biopsy showed acute interstitial nephritis and not lupus-induced glomerulonephritis. It is important to note that systemic lupus erythematosus and acute interstitial nephritis can occur together, and this report highlights the role of the kidney biopsy in ascertaining the pathological diagnosis and outlining therapy in drug-induced lupus erythematosus.


Author(s):  
Joana Eugénio Santos ◽  
Rita Vicente ◽  
Beatriz Malvar ◽  
Iolanda Santos ◽  
Miguel Coimbra ◽  
...  

Abstract Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) are associated with small vessel vasculitis but their prevalence is not rare in other immune diseases. In lupus nephritis (LN), their pathological role and clinical relevance have been the target of controversial views. We present a case of acute kidney injury and nephrotic syndrome in a young woman with diffuse global proliferative and membranous nephritis on her kidney biopsy, showing a full-house immunofluorescence pattern, very allusive of class IV + V LN, but lacking associated clinical criteria and laboratory findings to support the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Furthermore, the patient presented with high titers of ANCA, steadily decreasing alongside the renal function and proteinuria improvements, with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and steroid treatment. The authors believe this is a case of lupus-like nephritis, in which ANCAs are immunological markers, although they are not directly involved in the pathogenesis.


2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (8) ◽  
pp. 1239-1248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hermine I. Brunner ◽  
Michael R. Bennett ◽  
Gaurav Gulati ◽  
Khalid Abulaban ◽  
Marisa S. Klein-Gitelman ◽  
...  

Objective.To delineate urine biomarkers that forecast response to therapy of lupus nephritis (LN).Methods.Starting from the time of kidney biopsy, patients with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus who were diagnosed with LN were studied serially. Levels of 15 biomarkers were measured in random spot urine samples, including adiponectin, α-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), ceruloplasmin, hemopexin, hepcidin, kidney injury molecule 1, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, lipocalin-like prostaglandin D synthase (LPGDS), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), transferrin, and vitamin D binding protein (VDBP).Results.Among 87 patients (mean age 15.6 yrs) with LN, there were 37 treatment responders and 50 nonresponders based on the American College of Rheumatology criteria. At the time of kidney biopsy, levels of TGF-β (p < 0.0001) and ceruloplasmin (p = 0.006) were significantly lower among responders than nonresponders; less pronounced differences were present for AGP, hepcidin, LPGDS, transferrin, and VDBP (all p < 0.05). By Month 3, responders experienced marked decreases of adiponectin, AGP, transferrin, and VDBP (all p < 0.01) and mean levels of these biomarkers were all outstanding (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve ≥ 0.9) for discriminating responders from nonresponders. Patient demographics and extrarenal disease did not influence differences in biomarker levels between response groups.Conclusion.Low urine levels of TGF-β and ceruloplasmin at baseline and marked reduction of AGP, LPGDS, transferrin, or VDBP and combinations of other select biomarkers by Month 3 are outstanding predictors for achieving remission of LN. If confirmed, these results can be used to help personalize LN therapy.


Lupus ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 631-639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Skoczynska ◽  
Mark A Crowther ◽  
Malgorzata Chowaniec ◽  
Monika Ponikowska ◽  
Shruti Chaturvedi ◽  
...  

Objective The purpose of this study was to characterize the role of eculizumab, a monoclonal antibody against the terminal complement component C5, in patients with catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS). Methods We present a case report of a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and CAPS treated with eculizumab, as well as results of a systematic review of the literature. Results Including our patient, we identified 11 case reports of patients with CAPS treated with eculizumab. All of them had partial or total remission of symptoms. Conclusion Data on eculizumab efficacy in CAPS are promising but are limited to single case reports. More studies are needed to develop evidence-based recommendations for eculizumab use in CAPS.


2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 1044-1044 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan-Felipe Betancur ◽  
Erika Paola Navarro ◽  
José Humberto Bravo Bonilla ◽  
Armando Daniel Cortés ◽  
Juan Diego Vélez ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 206-210
Author(s):  
V.P. Shypulіn ◽  
V.V. Cherniavskyi ◽  
L.S. Hvozdecka ◽  
A.V. Neverovskyi ◽  
V.V. Tishchenko

Background. Every year, the number of people with rare forms of the disease is increasing worldwide. One of these is the catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome — Asherson’s syndrome. To date, it is being actively studied, but the pathophysiological mechanisms of its development have not yet been fully investigated. Our work is the first attempt to describe Asherson’s syndrome on the example of a clinical case in Ukraine. Objective: to determine the factors and mechanisms that led to the death of a patient with Asherson’s syndrome in Ukraine. Materials and methods. The structural-logical analysis and the clinical-statistical method were used. Results. Based on clinical and laboratory criteria, our medical team established a clinical diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus complicated by a catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS). Despite treatment with glucocorticoids and anticoagulants according to international guidelines, the patient died. The autopsy results showed that the immediate cause of death was a large blood clot that blocked the pulmonary artery and its main branches. Histological examination revealed thrombosis of small vessels of the kidneys and brain; a neuroendocrine tumor (G2; pT3pNxpM1b) of the small intestine with metastases to the liver, brain, myocardium and kidneys was suspected. An additional immunohistochemical study was performed to clarify the histological diagnosis. The morphological picture and results of immunohistochemical study mostly correspond to the moderately differentiated (G2) non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma (ICD-O code: 8070/3) with damage to the walls of the small intestine, liver, lungs, kidneys, myocardium and brain. Conclusions. These data emphasize that despite the rarity of Asherson’s syndrome, it is always necessary to consider its probability in the presence of signs of multiple thrombosis and multiple organ failure. Because its development is the result of serious diseases, including connective tissue diseases, malignancies, infections, the etiotropic and pathogenetic treatment can prevent the development of CAPS and death.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shoaib Z Junejo

Introduction: We describe a case of 22 year old female with her first pregnancy triggered Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT), Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Case Report: A 22 year old female was diagnosed with HT on levothyroxine during the early first trimester. During 21 weeks of gestation patient has intrauterine fetal demise and underwent medical abortion. SLE work up including antinuclear antibody and anti-double stranded DNA were positive. She underwent kidney biopsy, which revealed membranous and mesangial proliferative lupus nephritis. Diagnosis of SLE and APS was made. Treatment with anticoagulation therapy was started. SLE therapy was initiated with prednisone, mycophenolate mofetil and hydroxychloroquine with complete resolution of symptoms. We report a 23-year-old gravida in her first pregnancy, suffering from MGN and severe nephrotic syndrome, complicated by APLA syndrome. The patient was treated with enoxaparin, aspirin azathioprine, and Prednisone for a short time, in addition to furosemide and albumin intravenously. She was delivered at 30 weeks due to deteriorating maternal and foetal conditions. Discussion: APS is a prothrombotic disorder with various manifestations, most commonly venous and arterial thromboembolism and recurrent pregnancy loss. Pregnancy may trigger an underlying APS, which may well be the causative for the miscarriage. New onset SLE during pregnancy is rare. However, in our case, the anemia, thrombocytopenia, and proteinuria led us to the correct diagnosis of SLE. HT is associated with higher rates of infertility and early miscarriages, due to the associated hormonal changes and instability. However, the association of APS and HT is not well recognized in pregnant women. Conclusion: We present here a challenging case of new-onset triple autoimmune disorders trigged by pregnancy. Clinicians should be aware of this association and initiate early autoimmune work up for SLE and APS in patients with new onset of HT during pregnancy. A successful neonatal and maternal outcome was achieved in this case. The patient's history revealed thrombocytopenia and APLA syndrome and continues to be treated chronically with enoxaparin. Kidney biopsy performed after delivery showed membranous MGN stage II-III. Herein, we present a case of successful pregnancy and foetal outcome in a young woman with APLA syndrome and MN. Keywords: Pregnancy triggered Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document