title: Association between active Wegener's granulomatosis and anticytoplasmic antibodies.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Tervaert
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: van der Woude
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Fauci
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ambrus
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Velosa
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Keane
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Meijer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van der Giessen
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: van der Hem
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: The
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein