Comparison Study of Two Rituximab Regimens in the Remission of ANCA Associated Vasculitis

Rituximab infusion will be performed at D1 then ANCA status and CD19+ lymphocyte count will be monitored every 3 months, and patients will receive new 500 mg rituximab infusions either if CD19 are \> to 0/mm3, or if ANCA are positive again or if ANCA titer significantly raises. All patients received corticosteroids, starting from induction with prednisone (or equivalent) at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day with gradual tapering according to a regimen adjusted to body weight over a mean of 18 months since diagnosis.

Rituximab infusion will be performed at D1, D15, M6, M12 and M18(i.e. a total of 5 infusions), at the dose of 500 mg at a fixed dosage.All patients received corticosteroids, starting from induction with prednisone (or equivalent) at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day with gradual tapering according to a regimen adjusted to body weight over a mean of 18 months since diagnosis.