Fibrillary glomerulonephritis with small fibrils in a patient with the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome successfully treated with immunosuppressive therapy

10.1186/1471-2369-8-7BMC Nephrology8

Progressive dyspnoea following the treatment of <it>Mycobacterium abscessus</it> infection in an individual with relapsing granulamatosis with polyangitis (Wegener’s), complicated by hearing loss requiring cochlear implantation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Backgound</p> <p>Granulomatosis with polyangitis (Wegener’s) is a vasculitic disease predominantly affecting the lungs, skin, kidneys, ears, nose and throat. <it>Mycobacterium abscessus</it> is an uncommon rapidly growing mycobacterium causing sporadic lung disease. This is the first report of both GPA and <it>Mycobacterium abscessus</it> pulmonary disease reported in literature.</p> <p>Case Presentation</p> <p>We present a case report of a 33 year old Caucasian man with relapsing disease complicated by pulmonary infection with <it>Mycobacterium abscessus</it>. He subsequently required bilateral cochlear implantation for progressive sensori-neural hearing loss. His <it>M. abscessus</it> was treated successfully with a prolonged course of antimicrobial therapy. His Granulomatosis with polyangitis (Wegener’s) relapsed towards the end of antimicrobial therapy and required treatment. Shortly after completing his antimicrobial therapy and relapse, he developed progressive dyspnea due to pulmonary fibrosis.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The potential causes of his progressive dyspnoea are discussed including the potential role of his underlying disease and treatment.</p