ANTINEUTROPHIL CYTOPLASMIC ANTIBODIES (ANCA)-ASSOCIATED CRESCENTIC GLOMERULONEPHRITIS AND PROPYLTHIOURACIL THERAPY

Cutaneous vasculitis is an uncommon complication of propylthiouracil t herapy. Although its pathogenesis remains to be established, detection of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in association with t his type of vasculitis has recently been described. We report here 2 p atients who developed ANCA-associated crescentic glomerulonephritis wi thout evidence of cutaneous vasculitis during propylthiouracil treatme nt of hyperthyroidism. Improvement of the renal function and the disap pearance of ANCA were correlately found after discontinuation of propy lthiouracil and by corticosteroid therapy in both patients.