RESUMO
Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a systemic vasculitis whose severe forms are treated with glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide. Refractory patients are exposed to many complications, notably accelerated atherosclerosis. We report a case report of 71-year-old man followed for polyarteritis nodosa refractory to glucocorticoids and cyclosphosphamide. Systemic vasculitis relapses are followed to accelerated atherosclerosis: severe ischemic lesions led to amputation of lower limbs. Remission of refractory PAN is obtained with rituximab. Disappearance of biological inflammatory is allowed to regression of ischemic lesions in upper limbs. In this situation, we recommend a systematic vascular work-up for patients suffered from refractory vasculitis. On the other hand, therapeutic trials are needed to determine the real efficacy and place of rituximab in the treatment of polyarteritis nodosa.
RESUMO
Massive haemoglobinuria is encountered rarely during the course of malaria. It is usually considered a diagnostic criterion for severe malaria, together with anaemia, acute renal failure and jaundice. Haemoglobinuria can also present among expatriates travelling to endemic areas following repeated exposure to quinoline or arylaminoalcohol drugs. A case is described of haemoglobinuria developing in a 38-year-old French expatriate diagnosed concurrently with numerous tropical infections, and treated on presumptive basis with an antimalarial regimen containing artemisinin derivatives. Haemoglobinuria resolved spontaneously within a few days. Although this case does not definitely indicate a causal link between haemoglobinuria and artemisinin derivatives, the risk of such infrequent side-effects should be taken into account in pharmacovigilance monitoring. Moreover, the patient illustrates the multifaceted pathology that can be encountered with tropical infections.
