Update on vasculitis

The primary systemic vasculitides comprise a broad group of diseases identified by their clinical, histopathologic, and therapeutic characteristics. These unique entities have a broad spectrum of organ involvement and severity, which influences the approach to diagnosis and treatment. Immunosuppressive and cytotoxic agents are used to manage most vasculitic diseases. Long-term outcome is influenced by chronic sequelae from organ damage, disease relapses, and medication side effects. Further research is needed to understand these diseases and discover more efficacious yet less toxic therapeutic options. This review will focus on vasculitic syndromes more likely to be presented to an allergist/immunologist in an outpatient setting. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2009;123:1226-36.)