Forty-four patients with newly diagnosed ANCA-associated vasculitis and renal involvement were randomised , 3:1 , to glucocorticoids plus either rituximab ( 375mg/m ( 2 ) / week4 ) with two intravenous cyclophosphamide pulses ( n = 33 , rituximab group ) , or intravenous cyclophosphamide for 3-6months followed by azathioprine ( n = 11 , control group ) .