Abstract

GUERREIRO HERNANDEZ, Ana M et al. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA): an important tool for the diagnosis of vasculitis. Rev Cubana Hematol Inmunol Hemoter [online]. 2002, vol.18, n.3. ISSN 0864-0289.

The presence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) specific to proteinase 3(cANCA) and myeloperoxidase (pANCA) were determined by indirect immunofluoresce test in 166 patients, 45 of which presented with undetermined vasculitis and the rest with different diseases associated with inflammatory processes, autoimmune phenomena and infections. cANCA were detected in 12 cases with vasculitis whereas pANCA were observed in 8 patients with autoimmune diseases and in 14 with sickle cell anemia. Our results suggest the possibility of some level of involvement of these autoantibodies in the vascular endothelium damage that is observed in these diseases due to neutrophil activation

Keywords : NEUTROPHILS; ENDOPETIDASES; PEROXIDASE; VASCULITIS; AUTOINMUNE DISEASES; HEREDITARY DISEASES; ANEMIA; AUTOANTIBODIES.