This is a prospective observational study to determine the frequency and magnitude of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAV) in the acute phase of the disease (within 12 months of diagnosis or relapse and commencement of induction of remission therapy) and its association with clinical outcomes. The investigators will also explore whether CMV reactivation causes an increase in CCR2 expressing monocytes, and whether these monocytes cause persistent kidney damage in AAV. The investigators hypothesise that reactivation of CMV during the initial 12 months following diagnosis or relapse of AAV occurs frequently but is generally asymptomatic. Based on the investigators' preliminary data the investigators further hypothesise that subclinical reactivation of CMV during this period will be associated with adverse clinical outcomes, including the severity of vasculitis, the response to treatment and the damage caused by vasculitis. Finally, they hypothesise that subclinical CMV reactivation leads to amplification of renal damage in AAV through a monocyte CCR2/CCL2 driven pathway. The investigators' research has recently shown that asymptomatic reactivation of CMV is a frequent event in AAV patients, occurring in roughly 25% of AAV patients in remission. However, the frequency of asymptomatic reactivation of CMV during the acute phase of the disease is not known. The investigators have previously shown that CMV infection and surrogate markers of CMV reactivation in patients with AAV are associated with worse outcomes such as reduced kidney function, increased risk of infection and death, increased risk of blood clots and increased stiffness of the blood vessels, which is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. The investigators also have preliminary findings suggesting that in patients with AAV and CMV reactivation, the more CCR2 expressing monocytes in the blood, the worse the kidney function. If CMV reactivation during the acute phase of the disease is common and linked with worse outcomes, this study may then lead on to future research involving treatment to prevent CMV reactivation aiming to improve patient outcomes. The investigators will be looking to recruit patients under the care of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital with newly diagnosed or recently relapsed AAV in the last 2 weeks who are positive for previous CMV infection.The investigators will follow these patients up with 10 visits over 12 months; where possible these will coincide with participants' usual vasculitis clinic appointments. At each visit the participants will be required to give blood and urine samples and answer questions related to their vasculitis. Kidney biopsy tissue taken at diagnosis will be used to assess mechanisms of injury during CMV reactivation.
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
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To determine the frequency of CMV reactivation during the acute phase (first 12 months) following diagnosis or relapse of AAV and commencement of induction of remission therapy
Timeframe: This will be assessed at month 12 (end of study)