Wegener's granulomatosis: false positive anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody test.
The anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (A.N.C.A.) test is a solid phase radioimmunoassay which detects auto-antibodies specific for Wegener's granulomatosis. The case of a young male is reported with a nasal septal perforation who was extensively investigated revealing no other clinical features, apart from a positive A.N.C.A. test, warranting a diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis. It is felt the case represents a false positive A.N.C.A. test and emphasises that the test, whilst useful, should be interpreted in the context of other diagnostic criteria.
Mains
B
B
Craigavon Area Hospital.
D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay / Q000379:methods
D001323:Autoantibodies