Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in Wegener's granulomatosis

Arch Dis Child. 1998 Sep;79(3):246-50. doi: 10.1136/adc.79.3.246.

Abstract

The prevalence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) was studied in 12 children with Wegener's granulomatosis. The serum samples were taken in the active phase of disease and were screened for ANCA by indirect immunofluorescence with normal neutrophils and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using crude neutrophil extract, proteinase 3, myeloperoxidase, cathepsin G, lactoferrin, and elastase as antigens. Of these 12 patients, 10 wre positive for ANCA in the active phase of their illness, and they showed a predominantly cytoplasmic ANCA staining pattern on indirect immunofluorescence. There were high titres of ANCA directed against crude neutrophil extract, proteinase 3, myeloperoxidase, and cathepsin G. IgM isotypes occurred as commonly as IgG isotypes. Therefore, screening for ANCA is usually but not invariably positive in children with Wegener's granulomatosis. Specific diagnosis still relies on clinical and pathological features, and the value of ANCA in the diagnosis of paediatric Wegener's granulomatosis requires further study.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / blood*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Cathepsin G
  • Cathepsins / immunology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Endopeptidases / immunology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Epitopes / blood
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / diagnosis
  • Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Peroxidase / immunology
  • Serine Endopeptidases / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
  • Biomarkers
  • Epitopes
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Peroxidase
  • Cathepsins
  • Endopeptidases
  • Serine Endopeptidases
  • CTSG protein, human
  • Cathepsin G