Hydralazine-induced pauci-immune glomerulonephritis: intriguing case series with misleading diagnoses

J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect. 2016 Apr 25;6(2):30632. doi: 10.3402/jchimp.v6.30632. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Hydralazine has been used since the 1950s for the management of hypertension. Evidence for hydralazine-associated vasculitis dates to pre-ANCA (antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies) era. This abstract describes two cases of ANCA-positive pauci-immune glomerulonephritis (GN) in challenging scenarios where diagnosis was misconstrued. A comprehensive literature review was done to understand the pathogenesis of drug-induced pauci-immune GN. We have described key diagnostic features that are helpful in distinguishing idiopathic ANCA vasculitis from drug-induced vasculitis. Additionally, we have also described different treatments meant to provide therapy options with the least side effects.

Keywords: hydralazine; pauci-immune GN; renal limited.

Publication types

  • Review