Churg-Strauss syndrome

PubMed, the Internet portal of biomedical and life sciences literature, indexed an interesting article, entitled “Churg-Strauss syndrome: update on clinical, laboratory and therapeutic aspects.” (Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis. 2006 Mar;23(1):3-12). Authors are Keogh KA and Specks U, from the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA. Originally described over fifty years ago as a disorder of asthma, eosinophilic inflammation and small vessel vasculitis, Churg-Strauss syndrome is now defined as one of the ANCA (anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies) – associated vasculitides. The allergic background in which the vasculitis presents, typically characterized by asthma and prominent peripheral blood and tissue eosinophilia, render it unique among the primary systemic vasculitis syndromes. Despite recent interest in a potential link between leukotriene receptor antagonist use for asthma and the onset of Churg-Strauss syndrome, it remains a rare disease with poorly understood pathogenesis. To access the full abstract of the article, click here.