Successful pregnancy and delivery of a healthy newborn despite transplacental transfer of antimyeloperoxidase antibodies from a mother with microscopic polyangiitis

Am J Kidney Dis. 2009 Sep;54(3):542-5. doi: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2009.02.016. Epub 2009 Apr 23.

Abstract

Myeloperoxidase (MPO)-specific antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies have been proposed as pathogenic for microscopic polyangiitis. Supporting this hypothesis, a case report of transplacental anti-MPO antibody transfer presumably causing a vasculitis-like syndrome in the newborn is cited frequently. Here, we report a case of transplacental transfer of high levels of anti-MPO antibodies not resulting in clinical compromise in the newborn. The mother developed microscopic polyangiitis 5 years before the pregnancy. After induction therapy, remission was maintained with low-dose prednisone and azathioprine for 4.5 years despite high levels of anti-MPO antibodies (>100 U/mL). The patient elected to become pregnant, immunosuppression was maintained during pregnancy, and a normal-term neonate was delivered. The newborn's venous blood anti-MPO antibody levels decreased gradually from greater than 100 U/mL at birth to undetectable by day 120. No clinical manifestation of vasculitis developed in the newborn. This case supports that anti-MPO antibodies alone are not pathogenic without additional cofactors.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / biosynthesis
  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / blood*
  • Delivery, Obstetric
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Isoantibodies / biosynthesis
  • Isoantibodies / blood*
  • Male
  • Maternal-Fetal Exchange / drug effects
  • Maternal-Fetal Exchange / immunology*
  • Peroxidase / immunology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / diagnosis
  • Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / drug therapy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / immunology*
  • Vasculitis / diagnosis
  • Vasculitis / drug therapy
  • Vasculitis / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Isoantibodies
  • Peroxidase