ANCA Vasculitis Recurrence in Hemodialysis Patients: The Role of Rituximab

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies-associated vasculitis (AAV) is characterized by systemic inflammation and is the most common cause of new-onset glomerulonephritis in adults older than 50 years. Renal disease secondary to AAV can lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD) requiring renal replacement therapy in approximately 20–25% of patients. Relapses are infrequent in the population on dialysis, and treatment guidelines do not specify these patients. Reports regarding the clinical course, survival, or relapse rate after beginning dialysis are scarce. The authors present 3 cases of CKD patients on hemodialysis who presented with AAV relapse, successfully treated with rituximab, and provide a literature review on relapse treatment.