[Treatment of vasculitis with antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ACPN)].
DIAGNOSIS OF RENAL INVOLVEMENT: The diagnosis of renal involvement in patients with Wegener's disease and microscopic polyangeitis is facilitated with the search for antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) but still requires biopsy for confirmation.
Induction should be initiated immediately, and generally leads to initial remission. Long-term treatment is then needed to reduce the risk of recurrence and relapse.


RESULTS
Close monitoring of ANCA levels is important in these patients. Several protocols are currently under evaluation with the aim of limiting immunosuppression toxicity.
Esnault
V L
VL
Service de Néphrologie-Immunologie clinique, Hôtel-Dieu, 30, bd Jean Monnet, F44093 Nantes. vesnault@nantes.inserm.fr
D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000097:blood; D015267:Churg-Strauss Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015080:Mesna / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology
D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D015080:Mesna