SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF POLYARTERITIS-NOD OSA WITH LOW-DOSE METHOTREXATE

We report on a 45-year-old male patient who presented a classic polyar teritis nodosa (PAN). The clinical course extended over 7 years. In sp ite of 2 years immunosuppressive therapy with azathioprine and methylp rednisolone the course was progressive. Low-dose methotrexate therapy was the only treatment that controlled the disease, leading to rapid c linical and histopathological remission. In low concentrations methotr exate acts as an IL-1 inhibitor, and it obviously suppresses the patho genetic mechanism of PAN.