Wegener’s granulomatosis is a multiorgan systemic disease of unknown aetiology, characterised by granulomatous inflammation and vasculitis in small or medium-sized blood vessels. Available evidence suggests a role for genetics, microbial pathogens and environmental exposures in its aetiology.¹ Agents including silica,² hydrocarbons,³ pesticides,⁴ fumes⁴ and farming⁵ have been implicated. We describe the demographic details and environmental exposures of a cluster of patients with Wegener’s granulomatosis cases diagnosed in Norfolk, UK. Cluster analysis enables identification of common environmental exposures that may be temporally and spatially related to disease features.

We identified eight patients who were diagnosed with Wegener’s granulomatosis between February 2005 and February 2006. All patients fulfilled the …