IgG and IgM rheumatoid factor levels parallel interleukin-6 during the vasculitic phase in a patient with Churg-Strauss syndrome

Intern Med. 1995 Jul;34(7):646-8. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.34.646.

Abstract

A 43-year-old woman with a 10-year history of bronchial asthma developed marked peripheral blood eosinophilia and symptoms of vasculitis. A diagnosis of Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) was made, and her symptoms were successfully treated with low-dose prednisolone. Serum rheumatoid factors (RF) of both IgG and IgM, but not IgA or IgE, subclasses transiently appeared in accordance with the vasculitic phase. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels also transiently increased in this phase and the peak level was reached just prior to the maximum of RF elevation, suggesting the role of IL-6 as an inducer of RF. RF and IL-6 seemed to be involved in the pathogenesis of the vasculitis in this patient.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Churg-Strauss Syndrome / blood*
  • Churg-Strauss Syndrome / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood*
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood*
  • Interleukin-6 / blood*
  • Rheumatoid Factor / blood*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Interleukin-6
  • Rheumatoid Factor