Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Autoantibody Associated Systemic Vasculitis Is Associated with Epstein - Barr virus in the Setting of HIV Infection.

INTRODUCTION: EBV has been a leading candidate as a trigger for several autoimmune diseases. We describe an antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA) -associated systemic vasculitis as the initial presenting illness of AIDS.

CASE REPORT AND RESULTS: The patient was diagnosed ANCA -associated systemic vasculitis in the setting of HIV infection because of a high level of ANCA level, crescent glomerulonephritis in pathology, and clinical signs and symptoms compatible with systemic vasculitis. He also had HIV associated lymphadenopathy with scattered. EBV-RNA positive cells and reactive germinal centers.

CONCLUSION: EBV genome was found in reactive lymph nodes and, therefore, may be associated with the immunopathogenesis of vasculitis.