Intra-Alveolar Haemorrhage Complicating IgA Vasculitis: A Case Report, Literature Review and Discussion of Treatment

Authors

• Benjamin Savoye Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, CHU de Caen Côte de Nacre, Caen, France
• Gwenola Maigne Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, CHU de Caen Côte de Nacre, Caen, France
• Evangeline Pillebout Department of Nephrology, Hôpital Saint Louis, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
• Gaetane Planchard Department of Pathology, CHU de Caen Côte de Nacre, Caen, France
• Maxime Faisant Department of Pathology, CHU de Caen Côte de Nacre, Caen, France
• Achille Aouba Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, CHU de Caen Côte de Nacre, Caen, France
• Alexandra Audemard Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, CHU de Caen Côte de Nacre, Caen, France

benjamin.savoye.27@gmail.com

Keywords

Abstract

Introduction: Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV) is a small-vessel vasculitis with IgA-dominant immune deposits. IgAV frequently involves the skin, gastrointestinal tract, joints and kidneys. In contrast to other types of small-vessel vasculitis, IgAV is rarely complicated by intra-alveolar haemorrhage (IAH).
Methods/Results: We describe a patient with relapsing bladder cancer who presented with IAH during the course of IgAV successfully treated with corticosteroids alone.
Conclusion: This case report reminds us that IgAV can manifest with IAH. There are no robust data to support the systematic use of cyclophosphamide or plasma exchange as first-line therapy for IgAV with IAH.