Recurrent atelectasis and brain infarction in a patient with anti-neutrophil antibody negative eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis: a case report.

Background: Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is an anti-neutrophil antibody (ANCA)-associated necrotizing vasculitis, which predominantly affects small to medium vessels, and is associated with asthma and eosinophilia. EGPA has two different pathogenic aspects: eosinophilic granulomatous inflammation and ANCA-associated inflammation. A recent histological study of peripheral nerves showed that not only ANCA-associated inflammation but also eosinophil-associated vascular occlusion leads to ischemia.