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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffThe cause of Churg-Strauss syndrome is probably a combination of factors, although those factors haven't yet been identified. It is known that people with Churg-Strauss syndrome have an overzealous immune system. Instead of simply protecting against invading organisms such as bacteria and viruses, the immune system targets healthy tissue, causing widespread inflammation. Researchers are still trying to learn what triggers this inappropriate immune response.
The role of medications
Some people have developed Churg-Strauss syndrome after using an asthma and allergy medication called montelukast or when switching from low-dose systemic steroids to inhaled steroid medications. Studies have not shown a clear link between these medications and Churg-Strauss syndrome, however, and whether a connection exists remains a point of controversy among experts.
- What is Churg Strauss syndrome? Churg Strauss Syndrome Association. http://www.cssassociation.org/about_the_syndrome.asp. Accessed Aug. 20, 2008.
- King TE. Churg-Strauss syndrome (allergic granulomatosis and angiitis). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index. Accessed Aug. 20, 2008.
- Churg Strauss syndrome. Vasculitis Foundation. http://www.vasculitisfoundation.org/churgstrausssyndrome. Accessed Aug. 20, 2008.
- Hellmich B, et al. Update on the pathogenesis of Churg-Strauss syndrome. Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology. 2003;21(6)(suppl):S69-S77.
- Lilly CM, et al. Asthma therapies and Churg-Strauss syndrome. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2002;109(1):S1-S19.
- Weschler ME, et al. Churg-Strauss syndrome in patients receiving montelukast as treatment for asthma. Chest. 2000;117(3):708-713.
- Hauser T, et al. The leukotriene receptor antagonist montelukast and the risk of Churg-Strauss syndrome: A case-crossover study. Thorax. 2008;63:677-682.
- Tsurikisawa N, et al. Treatment of Churg-Strauss syndrome with high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 2004;92(1):80-87.
