ANCA-associated vasculitis

The vasculitides are a heterogeneous group of conditions typified by their ability to cause vessel inflammation with or without necrosis. They present with a wide variety of signs and symptoms and, if left untreated, carry a significant burden of mortality and morbidity. The antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAV) are three separate conditions - granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA; formerly known as Wegener's granulomatosis), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA; previously known as Churg-Strauss syndrome). This review examines recent developments in the pathogenesis and treatment of AAV, focusing on developments in treatment following the introduction of rituximab, in particular.