Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0042384 (vasculitis)
 20,525 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The vasculitides comprise various clinical and pathological entities which pose a therapeutic challenge in terms of disease control versus drug toxicity. Glucocorticoids are important in most regimens; duration of exposure and dosages can be minimised by the use of cytotoxic drugs and transplant immunosuppressives such as cyclosporin, tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil. Among alkylating agents, cyclophosphamide has proven to be highly effective; switching to less toxic antimetabolites, typically methotrexate, for maintenance after achieving disease control is an effective strategy. Plasmapheresis may be considered when pharmacological options are maximised. IVIG infusions are of proven benefit in Kawasaki disease and possible benefit in other vasculitides. Targeting infective aetiologies is the basis of therapies such as lamivudine and vidarabine for hepatitis B associated polyarteritis nodosa as well as ribavarin and IFN-alpha for hepatitis C associated cryoglobinaemic vasculitis. IFN-alpha also has immunomodulatory effect even in non-hepatitis C-associated vasculitis. Trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole has been used in limited Wegener's granulomatosis. Thalidomide, colchicine and dapsone are miscellaneous agents that have been used in Behcet's disease and cutaneous vasculitis. Anti-lymphocytic monoclonal antibodies have been employed for induction therapy in Wegener's granulomatosis. The tumour necrosis factor inhibitor etanercept is just being explored as a therapeutic agent. Bone marrow and stem cell transplantation may find a role in refractory disease.
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PMID:Novel therapies in vasculitis. 1177 51

HIV/AIDS-related immune alteration poses many diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. HIV-positive 44-year-old male, on second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) presented with asymptomatic non healing, well-defined, erythematous ulcer over penis since 8 months with serosanguinous discharge. Inguinal lymph nodes were not palpable. Tzanck smear was negative. Biopsy was not done as the patient was not willing for the same. Acyclovir was given considering herpes infection to which there was no response, and hence azithromycin and metronidazole were given, without improvement. Minocycline was given to take care of possible atypical mycobacterial infection. Due to lack of response, corticosteroid was given for 2 weeks keeping in mind possibility of vasculitis, but there was no improvement. Although investigations to rule out tuberculous etiology were negative, empirical anti-Koch's therapy Category 2 was given without response even after 3 months. Finally, a biopsy was taken from lesion which was suggestive of donovanosis. Trimethoprim Sulfamethoxazole in higher dose was started to which he responded after 2 weeks, and therapy was continued till complete response. Patient is on second-line ART for last 7 years. He is clinically stable, but his CD4 count is hovering at around 250-300 suggestive of ART failure. Virological evaluation was not feasible. Diagnostic challenges posed include possibility of resistant bacterial, viral infection, vasculitis, or drug reaction in a setting of probable ART failure.
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PMID:Nonhealing genital ulcer in AIDS: A diagnostic dilemma! 2789 Sep 58