Overlap or Outlier? Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis With Eosinophilia: A Case Report and Diagnostic Insight

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and eosinophilic GPA (EGPA) are distinct yet overlapping forms of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, each with unique clinical features. GPA typically involves necrotizing granulomatous inflammation of the upper and lower respirat...

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Main Authors: Sinen Tadesse Zeleke MD, Syeda Ramsha Zaidi MD, Ademsegd Isac Gebremedhen MD, Melinda Becker MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/23247096251363027
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author Sinen Tadesse Zeleke MD
Syeda Ramsha Zaidi MD
Ademsegd Isac Gebremedhen MD
Melinda Becker MD
author_facet Sinen Tadesse Zeleke MD
Syeda Ramsha Zaidi MD
Ademsegd Isac Gebremedhen MD
Melinda Becker MD
author_sort Sinen Tadesse Zeleke MD
collection DOAJ
description Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and eosinophilic GPA (EGPA) are distinct yet overlapping forms of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, each with unique clinical features. GPA typically involves necrotizing granulomatous inflammation of the upper and lower respiratory tracts and is strongly associated with cytoplasmic ANCA (c-ANCA) and PR3-ANCA positivity, while EGPA is characterized by eosinophilia, asthma, and vasculitis. Rare cases of GPA can present with eosinophilia, complicating the distinction between these entities and raising the possibility of a GPA/EGPA overlap syndrome. We present the case of a 40-year-old female with a history of rheumatoid arthritis and recurrent pneumonia, admitted with worsening dyspnea, peripheral eosinophilia, and high titers of anti-PR3-ANCA. Bronchoalveolar lavage confirmed eosinophilic infiltration, leading to an initial diagnosis of GPA with eosinophilia. The patient responded well to corticosteroids, rituximab, and avacopan, with significant clinical improvement. This case underscores the importance of integrating clinical, serologic, and histopathologic findings when diagnosing ANCA-associated vasculitis, particularly in patients with eosinophilia and asthma-like symptoms. Recognizing GPA with eosinophilia as distinct from true GPA/EGPA overlap is crucial for prognosis and treatment decisions.
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spelling doaj-art-831fe07efcce40cdb68d28b09228bc9a2025-08-20T03:09:32ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports2324-70962025-07-011310.1177/23247096251363027Overlap or Outlier? Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis With Eosinophilia: A Case Report and Diagnostic InsightSinen Tadesse Zeleke MD0Syeda Ramsha Zaidi MD1Ademsegd Isac Gebremedhen MD2Melinda Becker MD3Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Huntington, WV, USAMarshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Huntington, WV, USAMarshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Huntington, WV, USAMarshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Huntington, WV, USAGranulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and eosinophilic GPA (EGPA) are distinct yet overlapping forms of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, each with unique clinical features. GPA typically involves necrotizing granulomatous inflammation of the upper and lower respiratory tracts and is strongly associated with cytoplasmic ANCA (c-ANCA) and PR3-ANCA positivity, while EGPA is characterized by eosinophilia, asthma, and vasculitis. Rare cases of GPA can present with eosinophilia, complicating the distinction between these entities and raising the possibility of a GPA/EGPA overlap syndrome. We present the case of a 40-year-old female with a history of rheumatoid arthritis and recurrent pneumonia, admitted with worsening dyspnea, peripheral eosinophilia, and high titers of anti-PR3-ANCA. Bronchoalveolar lavage confirmed eosinophilic infiltration, leading to an initial diagnosis of GPA with eosinophilia. The patient responded well to corticosteroids, rituximab, and avacopan, with significant clinical improvement. This case underscores the importance of integrating clinical, serologic, and histopathologic findings when diagnosing ANCA-associated vasculitis, particularly in patients with eosinophilia and asthma-like symptoms. Recognizing GPA with eosinophilia as distinct from true GPA/EGPA overlap is crucial for prognosis and treatment decisions.https://doi.org/10.1177/23247096251363027
spellingShingle Sinen Tadesse Zeleke MD
Syeda Ramsha Zaidi MD
Ademsegd Isac Gebremedhen MD
Melinda Becker MD
Overlap or Outlier? Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis With Eosinophilia: A Case Report and Diagnostic Insight
Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports
title Overlap or Outlier? Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis With Eosinophilia: A Case Report and Diagnostic Insight
title_full Overlap or Outlier? Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis With Eosinophilia: A Case Report and Diagnostic Insight
title_fullStr Overlap or Outlier? Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis With Eosinophilia: A Case Report and Diagnostic Insight
title_full_unstemmed Overlap or Outlier? Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis With Eosinophilia: A Case Report and Diagnostic Insight
title_short Overlap or Outlier? Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis With Eosinophilia: A Case Report and Diagnostic Insight
title_sort overlap or outlier granulomatosis with polyangiitis with eosinophilia a case report and diagnostic insight
url https://doi.org/10.1177/23247096251363027
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