Microscopic Polyangitis

Microscopic polyangiitis is disease that results from blood vessel inflammation that can result in damage to organ systems. Most commonly affected by MPA include kidneys, lung, nerves, skin, and joints. Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) is an uncommon disease. It is result of blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis), which can damage organ systems. MPA shares vasculitis called granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA, formerly called Wegener's Granulomatosis), and treatment approaches for these illnesses are similar. Vasculitis is general term that refers to inflammation of blood vessels. When inflamed, the blood vessel may become weakened and stretch forming an aneurysm, or become so thin that it ruptures resulting in bleeding into tissue. Vasculitis can also cause blood vessel narrowing to point of closing vessel entirely. This can cause organs to become damaged from loss of oxygen and nutrients that were being supplied by blood. MPA affects small to medium-sized blood vessels, which directly reflects on type of tissue injury that is seen in this disease. The cause of MPA is unknown. MPA is not a form of cancer, it is not contagious, and it does not usually occur within families. Evidence from research laboratories strongly supports the idea that the immune system plays a critical role in MPA such that the immune system causes blood vessel and tissue inflammation and damage.