Life-threatening hepatitis C virus-associated polyarteritis nodosa successfully treated by rituximab.

Abstract

By contrast to cryoglobulinemic vasculitis, polyarteritis nodosa associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is rare and still a controversial entity. The best treatment for this condition is not established. Cases reported in the literature have been treated with various combinations of corticosteroids, antiviral therapy, and immunosuppressants. We report a case of severe life-threatening HCV-associated polyarteritis nodosa successfully treated with rituximab and a short course of corticosteroids without antiviral therapy. This case, along with recently published data, emphasizes the value of B-cell-targeted therapy in this unusual form of HCV-associated vasculitis.

• Authors: Antoine Néel, Agathe Masseau, Baptiste Hervier, Celine Bossard, Patrice Cacoub, Christian Pagnoux, Mohamed Amine Hamidou
• Journal: Journal of clinical rheumatology : practical reports on rheumatic & musculoskeletal diseases (J Clin Rheumatol) Vol. 17 Issue 8 Pg. 439-41 (Dec 2011) ISSN: 1536-7355 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22089995 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
• Glucocorticoids
• Immunologic Factors
• Rituximab

Topics

• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived (administration & dosage)
• B-Lymphocytes (drug effects)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Glucocorticoids (administration & dosage)
• Hepacivirus (pathogenicity)
• Hepatitis C, Chronic (diagnosis, drug therapy, virology)
• Humans
• Immunologic Factors (administration & dosage)
• Ischemia (diagnosis, drug therapy, virology)
• Male
• Mesenteric Ischemia
• Middle Aged
• Polyarteritis Nodosa (diagnosis, drug therapy, virology)
• Rituximab
• Treatment Outcome
• Vascular Diseases (diagnosis, drug therapy, virology)