Long-term observation of the perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody status in ulcerative colitis patients.
BACKGROUND
Perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (p-ANCA) have been regarded as a possible immunogenetic marker of ulcerative colitis. If this were true, the p-ANCA status of a given patient should be constant over time; however, little information is available on this issue.


METHODS
One hundred and forty-five sera collected from 40 ulcerative colitis patients during a mean follow-up period of 50.6 months were tested for p-ANCA reactivity by indirect immunofluorescence.


RESULTS
At base line 24 patients (60%) were p-ANCA-positive, with no relationship to gender distribution, age at diagnosis, disease activity, or extension. During follow-up, changes in p-ANCA status occurred in 10 patients (25%). P-ANCA positivity during follow-up was associated with more aggressive forms of disease, whereas p-ANCA negativity was associated with stable remission.


CONCLUSIONS
Changes in the p-ANCA status over time occur in some ulcerative colitis patients. P-ANCA behaviour is associated with different clinical patterns of disease.
Vecchi
M
M
Dept. of Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, Institute of Internal Medicine, University of Milan, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico di Milano, Italy.
Bianchi
M B
MB
Calabresi
C
C
Meucci
G
G
Tatarella
M
M
de Franchis
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000097:blood*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic