Association between active Wegener's granulomatosis and anticytoplasmic antibodies.
Autoantibodies reacting with the cytoplasm of granulocytes and monocytes (anticytoplasmic antibodies [ACPAs]) were found in 42 of 45 patients with active Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) (sensitivity, 93%). Specificity was tested in selected groups of patients with closely related diseases. Of 58 patients without a diagnosis of WG, 2 had ACPAs (specificity, 97%). The significance of ACPA titration for assessing or predicting disease activity was evaluated in a 16-month prospective study of 35 patients with WG. Seventeen relapses were observed and all were preceded by a significant rise of the ACPA titer. Anticytoplasmic antibodies are a specific and sensitive marker for active WG; a rising titer is a sensitive marker for the development of a relapse.
Tervaert
J W
JW
Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Groningen, the Netherlands.
van der Woude
F J
FJ
Fauci
A S
AS
Ambrus
J L
JL
Velosa
J
J
Keane
W F
WF
Meijer
S
S
van der Giessen
M
M
van der Hem
G K
GK
The
T H
TH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D001323:Autoantibodies; D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein