Here, we describe a rare presentation of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) under benralizumab therapy manifesting as bilateral central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). The patient, a 61-year-old man with chronic eosinophilic rhinosinusitis and severe asthma, experienced sudden bilateral visual loss and transient amaurosis. Ophthalmologic evaluations, including a fundus examination and optical coherence tomography, confirmed CRAO, and laboratory test results revealed elevated markers of inflammation and positive antimyeloperoxidase antibodies in the context of normal eosinophil counts. Intensive immunosuppressive therapy led to resolution of systemic inflammation, although significant visual impairment persisted. These findings underscore the potential limitations of anti–interleukin-5 receptor therapy in preventing vasculitic complications in EGPA.

Development of Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis Despite Anti–Interleukin-5 Receptor Therapy: The First Case of Bilateral Central Retinal Artery Occlusion During Benralizumab Treatment

Quartuccio L.
2025-01-01

Abstract

Here, we describe a rare presentation of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) under benralizumab therapy manifesting as bilateral central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). The patient, a 61-year-old man with chronic eosinophilic rhinosinusitis and severe asthma, experienced sudden bilateral visual loss and transient amaurosis. Ophthalmologic evaluations, including a fundus examination and optical coherence tomography, confirmed CRAO, and laboratory test results revealed elevated markers of inflammation and positive antimyeloperoxidase antibodies in the context of normal eosinophil counts. Intensive immunosuppressive therapy led to resolution of systemic inflammation, although significant visual impairment persisted. These findings underscore the potential limitations of anti–interleukin-5 receptor therapy in preventing vasculitic complications in EGPA.
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
ACR Open Rheumatology - 2025 - Treppo.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Versione Editoriale (PDF)
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 1.05 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.05 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11390/1309024
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 0
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 0
social impact