Rifampicin-induced antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-positive vasculitis: a case report and review of the literature

Antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a pauci-immune necrotizing vasculitis that involves small vessels. Herein, we report an extremely rare case of rifampicin (RFP)-induced AAV. A 42-yearold female was transferred to the West China Hospital due to cough with phlegm for 3 months, fever for 1 month, and fatigue for 2 weeks. The patient was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and received anti-TB treatment with isoniazid, RFP, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide (PZA) at her local hospital. After 5 days of antiTB treatment, her creatinine level rose to 420.2 mu mol/L from a normal level prior to anti-TB treatment. Serum proteinase 3 (PR3)ANCA was positive. After discontinuing the anti-TB drugs and administering protective renal treatment, her renal function improved, whereas PR3-ANCA remained positive. With RFP rechallenge after transfer to our hospital, the patient developed oliguria. Her urine volume increased gradually after RFP was discontinued 3 days later. Therefore, RFPinduced AAV was suspected. Eventually, the patient received prednisone and anti-TB therapy, including isoniazid, ethambutol, PZA, and moxifloxacin. After 2 months, PZA was discontinued. During 6 months of follow-up, her renal function returned to normal, and PR3-ANCA became negative at 4 months. This outcome is characteristic of RFP-induced AAV.