A Rare Case of Anti Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody Associated Vasculitis Presenting as Pyelonephritis

Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA) Associated Vasculitis (AAV) is a condition affecting small and medium-sized vessels, predominantly impacting the kidneys. Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPO) is primarily associated with antibodies to myeloperoxidase. MPO frequently presents as glomerulonephrit...

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Main Authors: Chetan Phadke, Shreeharsh Godbole
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
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Online Access:https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/20938/78805_CE[Ra1]_F(IS)_QC_PF1(HJ_IS)_PFA_NC(IS)_PN(IS).pdf
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author Chetan Phadke
Shreeharsh Godbole
author_facet Chetan Phadke
Shreeharsh Godbole
author_sort Chetan Phadke
collection DOAJ
description Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA) Associated Vasculitis (AAV) is a condition affecting small and medium-sized vessels, predominantly impacting the kidneys. Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPO) is primarily associated with antibodies to myeloperoxidase. MPO frequently presents as glomerulonephritis, but pyelonephritis has not been mentioned hitherto in the literature as an initial presentation. Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) is known to present as pyelonephritis, but not MPO. Such an unusual presentation may masquerade as an infectious condition when the underlying cause may, in fact, be an autoimmune one. This case report concerns a patient who presented with pyelonephritis. The patient also exhibited lung involvement that appeared to be pneumonia. Sepsis was suspected initially, and antibiotics were commenced. He also experienced renal failure and required haemodialysis. As the condition did not resolve, extensive investigations were conducted. An autoimmune panel and a renal biopsy revealed AAV as the underlying condition. Prompt treatment with glucocorticoids and rituximab resulted in a dramatic improvement in the patient’s condition. The patient did not require further haemodialysis, and he subsequently recovered and was discharged. The patient is on regular follow-up and requires only a small maintenance dose of prednisone. This case report demonstrates that pyelonephritis may not always have an infection as its underlying cause. A high index of suspicion for an autoimmune cause may result in early treatment and can be life-saving.
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spelling doaj-art-7b1525afbcaf4e738635093e1aa1bd6a2025-08-20T02:16:10ZengJCDR Research and Publications Private LimitedJournal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research2249-782X0973-709X2025-05-01OD04OD0610.7860/JCDR/2025/78805.20938A Rare Case of Anti Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody Associated Vasculitis Presenting as PyelonephritisChetan Phadke0Shreeharsh Godbole1Resident, Department of Nephrology, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India.Resident, Department of Nephrology, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India.Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA) Associated Vasculitis (AAV) is a condition affecting small and medium-sized vessels, predominantly impacting the kidneys. Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPO) is primarily associated with antibodies to myeloperoxidase. MPO frequently presents as glomerulonephritis, but pyelonephritis has not been mentioned hitherto in the literature as an initial presentation. Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) is known to present as pyelonephritis, but not MPO. Such an unusual presentation may masquerade as an infectious condition when the underlying cause may, in fact, be an autoimmune one. This case report concerns a patient who presented with pyelonephritis. The patient also exhibited lung involvement that appeared to be pneumonia. Sepsis was suspected initially, and antibiotics were commenced. He also experienced renal failure and required haemodialysis. As the condition did not resolve, extensive investigations were conducted. An autoimmune panel and a renal biopsy revealed AAV as the underlying condition. Prompt treatment with glucocorticoids and rituximab resulted in a dramatic improvement in the patient’s condition. The patient did not require further haemodialysis, and he subsequently recovered and was discharged. The patient is on regular follow-up and requires only a small maintenance dose of prednisone. This case report demonstrates that pyelonephritis may not always have an infection as its underlying cause. A high index of suspicion for an autoimmune cause may result in early treatment and can be life-saving.https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/20938/78805_CE[Ra1]_F(IS)_QC_PF1(HJ_IS)_PFA_NC(IS)_PN(IS).pdfbiopsymicroscopic polyangiitisrenal insufficiency
spellingShingle Chetan Phadke
Shreeharsh Godbole
A Rare Case of Anti Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody Associated Vasculitis Presenting as Pyelonephritis
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
biopsy
microscopic polyangiitis
renal insufficiency
title A Rare Case of Anti Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody Associated Vasculitis Presenting as Pyelonephritis
title_full A Rare Case of Anti Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody Associated Vasculitis Presenting as Pyelonephritis
title_fullStr A Rare Case of Anti Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody Associated Vasculitis Presenting as Pyelonephritis
title_full_unstemmed A Rare Case of Anti Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody Associated Vasculitis Presenting as Pyelonephritis
title_short A Rare Case of Anti Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody Associated Vasculitis Presenting as Pyelonephritis
title_sort rare case of anti neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody associated vasculitis presenting as pyelonephritis
topic biopsy
microscopic polyangiitis
renal insufficiency
url https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/20938/78805_CE[Ra1]_F(IS)_QC_PF1(HJ_IS)_PFA_NC(IS)_PN(IS).pdf
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