Churg–Strauss syndrome associated with antiphospholipid antibodies in a patient with recurrent myocardial and cerebral ischemia

Marino Paroli,¹ Alessandro Polidoro,¹ Simone Romano,¹ Daniele Accapezzato<sup>2

1</sup>Department of Biotechnology and Medical-Surgical Sciences, ²Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

Abstract: We report on a case of Churg–Strauss syndrome (CSS) associated with the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. The patient had a history of recurrent myocardial infarction and presented with acute ischemic cerebral disease. Eosinophilia with typical lung and skin lesions led us to diagnose the patient with CCS. We hypothesize that the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies significantly contributed to the ischemic events. We suggest that the search for antiphospholipid antibodies should be included in the laboratory work-up in CSS patients and patients affected by primary systemic vasculitides in general. Moreover, anticoagulant treatment appears to be warranted in all CSS patients and antiphospholipid antibodies to counteract this thrombosis-favoring association.

Keywords: Churg–Strauss syndrome, antiphospholipid antibodies, ischemic disease