Forty-four patients with newly diagnosed ANCA-associated vasculitis and renal involvement were randomised , @:@ , to glucocorticoids plus either rituximab ( @mg/m ( @ ) / week@ ) with two intravenous cyclophosphamide pulses ( n = @ , rituximab group ) , or intravenous cyclophosphamide for @-@months followed by azathioprine ( n = @ , control group ) .