A Case of Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (Wegener’s Granulomatosis) Presenting with Rapidly Progressive Glomerulonephritis

Abstract

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA, Wegener's granulomatosis) presenting as rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis is not uncommon. The recognition of multisystem disease involving joints, kidney, and lung is critical for diagnosing Wegener's vasculitis. Here, we report a case study of a 52-year Bangladeshi man presented with a history of progressively worsening fever, recurrent cough, and hemoptysis. He developed renal failure within a month which was successfully treated with high-dose steroids, cyclophosphamide, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX). Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis can be a fulminant manifestation of GPA, in which case an immediate and aggressive treatment with pulse steroids, high-dose cyclophosphamide and TMP-SMX can be lifesaving.