Churg-Strauss syndrome successfully treated with rituximab.

Dønvik, Kristin Kveim; Omdal, Roald

Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is characterized by small-vessel vasculitis, extravascular granulomatous inflammation, and massive eosinophilia in tissues and blood, and is often accompanied by a history of preclinical asthma and/or allergic rhinitis lasting several years before the syndrome develops its full clinical picture. Corticosteroids, often in combination with cytotoxic agents, comprise standard therapy; however, a number of patients appear to be resistant to treatment and there is a need for more effective regimens. B cell depletion may be an effective treatment option for CSS. Here, we describe two patients resistant to conventional therapy who were treated with rituximab and experienced a rapid and substantial decrease in disease activity and asthmatic symptoms and an increase in physical capacity.

CASE studies; CHURG-Strauss syndrome; EOSINOPHILIA; ALLERGIC rhinitis; ADRENOCORTICAL hormones; RITUXIMAB; ASTHMA diagnosis; THERAPEUTICS

Rheumatology International, 2011, Vol 31, Issue 1, p89

0172-8172

Academic Journal

10.1007/s00296-009-1146-6