ANCA-associated vasculitis: microscopic polyangiitis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's), eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg Strauss)
Patient selection: immunosuppressive therapy for ANCA-associated vasculitis
Severe infections: bacterial pneumonia, Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, bacterial osteomyelitis, MRSA bacteremia, invasive aspergillosis, miliary tuberculosis, fungemia and pyelonephritis.
Predictors of severe infection:
(1) hypoalbuminemia (hazard ratio 0.38 or 0.45 per 1 g/dL)
(2) methylprednisolone pulse therapy (0.5 to 1.0 g per day for 3 days, hazard ratio 5.4)
(3) oral candidiasis (hazard ratio 5.3)
