title: Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica.
abstract: Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) were demonstrated in all sera from 11 patients with active giant cell arteritis (GCA) using indirect immunofluorescence on 9% paraformaldehyde(PF)-fixed neutrophils according to Pryzwanski (median titer 1:256, range 1:64 to 1:512). After treatment during inactive disease titers decreased in all sera. Eight out of 9 sera from patients with active polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) produced a cytoplasmic staining on Pryzwanski-fixed neutrophils in low titers (median titer 1:16, range 0 to 1:32), as did 8 out of 25 sera from healthy blood donors. None of the sera were positive for antibodies to defined antigens, i.e. proteinase-3, human leucocyte elastase, myeloperoxidase and lactoferrin as detected by ELISA. GCA seems to be associated with ANCA of as yet unknown specificity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Cats
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Tervaert
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van Wijk
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Limburg
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Kallenberg
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D001167:Arteritis / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011111:Polymyalgia Rheumatica / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G