Antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis.
In 1982 we first reported the presence of antineutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCA) in 8 patients with systemic vasculitis and segmental necrotizing glomerulonephritis. The results of long-term follow-up are described. Screening of 7,500 serum samples revealed positive ANCA in 9 additional patients with vasculitis. Eighty-eight other patients with vasculitis were ANCA negative, including 7 with microscopic polyarteritis nodosa (MPAN) and 8 with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). Conversely, ANCA were never detected in the absence of vasculitis. Fourteen patients presenting with glomerulonephritis and ANCA were followed for a median of 6.3 years. Eleven patients had MPAN and 3 WG. Remissions were obtained with immunosuppressive therapy in all patients. Clinical relapse was associated with the reappearance of ANCA. Five-year survival was 89% and 5-year dialysis free survival was 77%. ANCA are specific markers for a sub-group of patients with vasculitis and are sensitive markers of disease activity. Glomerulonephritis associated with ANCA positive vasculitis has a favorable outcome with immunosuppressive therapy.
Renal Unit, St. Vincent's Hospital, Victoria, Australia.
A I
AI
MacIsaac
J E
JE
Moran
D J
DJ
Davies
B F
BF
Murphy
T
T
Georgiou
J F
JF
Niall
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear