Plasma concentrations of complement-activation complexes correlate with disease activity in patients diagnosed with isolated central nervous system vasculitis1

Expression of the anaphylatoxin receptors C3aR and C5aR is increased in fatal asthma

“…Furthermore, in other chronic inflammatory diseases such as central nervous system vasculitis, serial measurements of C3a and C5a have been shown to correlate with disease activity. 41 Thus, it is likely that the high expression of C3aR and C5aR we demonstrated in FA signifies an increased sensitivity to the anaphylatoxins in a distinct group of patients. More studies on the kinetics of expression of the receptors, the signal transduction mechanisms, and their genetic How can a high expression of C3aR on vessels and of C5aR on airway epithelium contribute to the fatal outcome of the asthma attack?…”

Recurrent Intracranial Hemorrhage Due to Postpartum Cerebral Angiopathy

“…Two of the patients underwent repeat cerebral angiography that showed complete normalization of vessels. Three of the patients had rapid resolution of neurological deficits, 12,13,25 while the fate of the fourth patient was not reported. 2 The pathogenesis of postpartum cerebral angiopathy is unknown, and the term "angiopathy" has been chosen intentionally to reflect the uncertain underlying pathophysiology of this condition.…”

“…2,12,13,25 One of these women had an intraparenchymal bleed 2 ; 3 suffered subarachnoid hemorrhage revealed by CT and lumbar puncture. 12,13,25 No etiology for the bleeds could be found, and none of the patients had evidence of hypertension or toxemia during pregnancy or the postpartum period. In each case, angiography revealed a classic vasculitic picture involving several intracranial vessels, often bilaterally, and not confined to the area of hemorrhage.…”

“…5,25,33 Recognition of this condition may preclude unnecessarily aggressive and potentially toxic treatment with long courses of immunosuppressive therapy for vasculitis. In at least 1 other case, there was full recovery without steroid treatment 19 ; thus, the role of corticosteroid treatment in this condition requires further investigation.…”

A Benign Form of Isolated Angiitis of the Central Nervous System in Puerperium: An Identical Disorder to Postpartum Cerebral Angiopathy?

“…Mostcases of this disease present themselves with manifestations of cerebral ischemia, but rarely intracranial hemorrhage occurs. In addition, a few cases of IACNShave been reported in association with pregnancy or puerperium (6)(7)(8).…”