Project description:PURPOSE:To examine whether herpes zoster antigen (also called varicella-zoster virus antigen) was detectable in temporal artery biopsies taken from individuals with giant cell arteritis (GCA). DESIGN:Retrospective comparative case series. METHODS:Sections of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded temporal arteries were examined first by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining to establish the diagnosis of GCA. Adjacent sections of the same biopsy were then examined by immunohistochemistry, using 2 different monoclonal antibodies against a major antigen of varicella-zoster virus called gE. Pathologic specimens were obtained from patients cared for at the University of Iowa and Washington University in St. Louis ophthalmology clinics. RESULTS:The study included biopsies from 25 patients with symptoms of GCA as well as positive H&E pathology and 25 patients with symptoms compatible with GCA but negative H&E pathology. Among the GCA-positive group, 3 patients had positive staining for herpes zoster antigen. Among the GCA-negative group, herpes zoster antigen was not detected in any biopsy. In both groups of patients, false-positive staining for herpes zoster antigen was detected in the presence of calcifications in the arteries. False-positive staining was also detected on some extra-arterial skeletal muscle and erythrocytes. CONCLUSION:Herpes zoster antigen was detected in 3 of 25 temporal arteries from patients with biopsy-proven GCA. One of the 3 positive cases was noteworthy because the patient had had herpes zoster ophthalmicus diagnosed 3 weeks before the onset of GCA symptoms. False-positive staining for herpes zoster antigen was detected on several temporal artery biopsies.

| S-EPMC5866091 | biostudies-literature

Giant cell arteritis.

Project description: Not available

| S-EPMC3060188 | biostudies-literature

Clinical Images: Sarcoidosis with concomitant aortitis and coronary arteritis.

Project description: Not available

| S-EPMC11016566 | biostudies-literature

Giant Cell Arteritis versus Takayasu Arteritis: An Update.

Project description:Giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu Arteritis (TAK) are two systemic granulomatous vasculitides affecting medium- and large-sized arteries. Similarities in GCA and TAK regarding the clinical presentation, the systemic inflammatory response and the distribution of the arterial lesions, have triggered a debate over the last decade about whether GCA and TAK represent two different diseases, or are age-associated different clinical phenotypes of the same disease. On the other hand, there are differences regarding epidemiology, several clinical features (eg, polymyalgia rheumatica in GCA) and treatment. The aim of this review is to present the latest data regarding this question and to shed some light on the differences and similarities between GCA and TAK regarding epidemiology, genetics, pathogenesis, histopathology, clinical presentation, imaging and treatment. The existing data in literature support the opinion that GCA and TAK are different clinical entities.

| S-EPMC7362112 | biostudies-literature

Combined bilateral ophthalmic artery occlusion & central retinal vein occlusion from presumed giant cell arteritis.

Project description:PurposeTo report on a severe case of presumed giant cell arteritis (GCA) presenting with partial and complete ophthalmic artery occlusion along with bilateral central retinal vein occlusions (CRVO).ObservationsA 73-year-old female presented with bilateral complete vision loss of sudden onset. The patient also experienced a mild frontal headache prior to onset of vision loss. Fundus examination revealed bilateral central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) and CRVO. Subsequent fluorescein angiography indicated partial right ophthalmic artery occlusion and complete left ophthalmic artery occlusion. Acute phase reactants were elevated. The patient was clinically diagnosed with GCA and intravenous (IV) steroids were initiated. Four days later, a temporal artery biopsy (TAB) was performed and resulted as negative for granulomatous inflammation. The patient did not regain vision and remained with no light perception (NLP) in both eyes.Conclusionsand Importance: This case highlights the discrepancy between clinical diagnosis and pathologic tissue diagnosis in a patient that presented with such extensive ocular vasculitic disease. Such extensive bilateral disease has not been reported. In addition, there are few studies regarding the effect of pulse-dosed IV steroids on TAB results. This case report suggests that the gradual histologic changes that occur over one or two weeks while on oral steroids may occur over three to four days while on high dose IV steroids, necessitating early biopsy.

| S-EPMC6105759 | biostudies-literature

Tocilizumab for giant cell arteritis.

Project description: Not available

| S-EPMC8406620 | biostudies-literature

Tocilizumab for giant cell arteritis.

Project description: Not available

| S-EPMC9105486 | biostudies-literature

MMP-12, a novel matrix metalloproteinase associated with giant cell arteritis.

Project description: Not available

| S-EPMC2782257 | biostudies-literature