Isolated ANCA-associated scleritis successfully treated with systemic rituximab; a case report and review of literature

Abstract Background Necrotizing scleritis is one of the most destructive ocular manifestations of underlying systemic diseases that can lead to a variety of severe complications, including globe perforation or vision loss. Necrotizing scleritis can occur in various conditions, such as systemic vascu...

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Main Authors: Mohammadreza Tahavvori, Sahba Fekri, Kiana Hassanpour, Mohammad-Mehdi Sadoughi, Mohammadali Javadi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:BMC Ophthalmology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-025-04027-6
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author Mohammadreza Tahavvori
Sahba Fekri
Kiana Hassanpour
Mohammad-Mehdi Sadoughi
Mohammadali Javadi
author_facet Mohammadreza Tahavvori
Sahba Fekri
Kiana Hassanpour
Mohammad-Mehdi Sadoughi
Mohammadali Javadi
author_sort Mohammadreza Tahavvori
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Necrotizing scleritis is one of the most destructive ocular manifestations of underlying systemic diseases that can lead to a variety of severe complications, including globe perforation or vision loss. Necrotizing scleritis can occur in various conditions, such as systemic vasculitis like Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA) and ANCA-Associated vasculitis (AAV), systemic autoimmune disorders, infections, or as a result of surgical procedures. Case presentation In this case report, we present a patient with acute bilateral isolated necrotizing sclerokeratitis associated with positive c-ANCA without any manifestation of other organ involvement. A 52-year-old man with acute anterior bilateral necrotizing scleritis with diffuse areas of necrosis, thinning of the sclera, and the choroidal show was observed which was impending perforation on both sides. Systemic medications, including intravenous methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide, and topical medications were administered. However, due to an incomplete response to these drugs, intravenous rituximab was initiated. Significant improvements in clinical manifestations were initiated after treatment with Rituximab. Conclusion Our case highlights the importance of systemic rituximab therapy in treating isolated ANCA-associated necrotizing scleritis when initial immunosuppressive treatments are not fully effective.
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spelling doaj-art-0f706e03ea1946f0aadc300e3f3ff80c2025-08-20T02:17:05ZengBMCBMC Ophthalmology1471-24152025-04-012511510.1186/s12886-025-04027-6Isolated ANCA-associated scleritis successfully treated with systemic rituximab; a case report and review of literatureMohammadreza Tahavvori0Sahba Fekri1Kiana Hassanpour2Mohammad-Mehdi Sadoughi3Mohammadali Javadi4Ophthalmic Research Center, Research Institute for Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesOphthalmic Research Center, Research Institute for Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesOphthalmic Research Center, Research Institute for Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesOphthalmic Research Center, Research Institute for Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesOphthalmic Research Center, Research Institute for Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Necrotizing scleritis is one of the most destructive ocular manifestations of underlying systemic diseases that can lead to a variety of severe complications, including globe perforation or vision loss. Necrotizing scleritis can occur in various conditions, such as systemic vasculitis like Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA) and ANCA-Associated vasculitis (AAV), systemic autoimmune disorders, infections, or as a result of surgical procedures. Case presentation In this case report, we present a patient with acute bilateral isolated necrotizing sclerokeratitis associated with positive c-ANCA without any manifestation of other organ involvement. A 52-year-old man with acute anterior bilateral necrotizing scleritis with diffuse areas of necrosis, thinning of the sclera, and the choroidal show was observed which was impending perforation on both sides. Systemic medications, including intravenous methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide, and topical medications were administered. However, due to an incomplete response to these drugs, intravenous rituximab was initiated. Significant improvements in clinical manifestations were initiated after treatment with Rituximab. Conclusion Our case highlights the importance of systemic rituximab therapy in treating isolated ANCA-associated necrotizing scleritis when initial immunosuppressive treatments are not fully effective.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-025-04027-6ScleritisAnti-Neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodyRituximab
spellingShingle Mohammadreza Tahavvori
Sahba Fekri
Kiana Hassanpour
Mohammad-Mehdi Sadoughi
Mohammadali Javadi
Isolated ANCA-associated scleritis successfully treated with systemic rituximab; a case report and review of literature
BMC Ophthalmology
Scleritis
Anti-Neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody
Rituximab
title Isolated ANCA-associated scleritis successfully treated with systemic rituximab; a case report and review of literature
title_full Isolated ANCA-associated scleritis successfully treated with systemic rituximab; a case report and review of literature
title_fullStr Isolated ANCA-associated scleritis successfully treated with systemic rituximab; a case report and review of literature
title_full_unstemmed Isolated ANCA-associated scleritis successfully treated with systemic rituximab; a case report and review of literature
title_short Isolated ANCA-associated scleritis successfully treated with systemic rituximab; a case report and review of literature
title_sort isolated anca associated scleritis successfully treated with systemic rituximab a case report and review of literature
topic Scleritis
Anti-Neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody
Rituximab
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-025-04027-6
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