Ángeles-Labra AR, Shturman-Ellstein R, Díaz-Borjón A

Language: Spanish
References: 7
Page: 100-102
PDF size: 241.43 Kb.

ABSTRACT

The Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a rare vasculitis of small and medium caliber vessels, which occurs in patients with a history of asthma and atopy. The leukotriene receptor antagonists currently have an important role in asthma control and facilitate the reduction of steroid dosage. We report a case of a 43-year-old woman with a history of atopy, sinusitis and asthma diagnosed at 41 years, treated with pranlukast to taper the prednisone dose. The patient subsequently presented non-productive cough, chest pain, malaise and fever up to 38.5 °C, and had no response to antibiotic treatment. Screening studies showed multiple foci pneumonia, eosinophilia, ESR, CRP, and elevated serum IgE. Lung biopsy specimen showed eosinophilic infiltration through the vascular wall, compatible with CSS. Some reports in the literature have suggested a causal relationship between leukotriene receptor antagonists and this syndrome, however this association is controversial. It is unknown if there is a direct induction role of pranlukast for the development of the disease, or if the latter is unmasked by reducing use of systemic corticosteroids.

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