Wegener's granulomatosis: observations on treatment with antimicrobial agents

Mayo Clin Proc. 1985 Jan;60(1):27-32. doi: 10.1016/s0025-6196(12)65279-3.

Abstract

Twelve patients with Wegener's granulomatosis were treated with antimicrobial agents, chiefly trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The clinical course improved in 11 of the 12 patients who received this treatment. The success of antimicrobial treatment suggests the possibility of a microbial infection as the inciting cause of Wegener's granulomatosis in some patients. Alternatively, these agents--in particular, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole--may possess immunosuppressant activity.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Drug Combinations / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / drug therapy*
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / pathology
  • Humans
  • Lung / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nose / pathology
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Sulfamethoxazole / therapeutic use*
  • Trimethoprim / therapeutic use*
  • Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

Substances

  • Drug Combinations
  • Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Trimethoprim
  • Sulfamethoxazole
  • Prednisone