Cytoplasmic Antibody (cytoplasmic + antibody)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences

Kinds of Cytoplasmic Antibody

  • anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody
  • antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody


  • Selected Abstracts


    Perinuclear Antineutrophilic Cytoplasmic Antibody and Response to Treatment in Diarrheic Dogs with Food Responsive Disease or Inflammatory Bowel Disease

    JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2006
    Nicole Luckschander
    The goal of this study was to investigate the correlation between perinuclear antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (pANCA) and clinical scores before and after treatment in diarrheic dogs with food-responsive disease (FRD) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). pANCA serology was evaluated prospectively by indirect immunofluorescence in 65 dogs with signs of gastrointestinal disease, and if positive, pANCA antibody titers were determined. Thirty-nine dogs with FRD responded to a novel diet, and 26 dogs with IBD were treated with corticosteroids. The severity of clinical signs was scored by means of a canine IBD activity index (CIBDAI). At initial examination, a significantly (P= .002) higher percentage of dogs were pANCA-positive in the FRD group (62%) compared with the IBD group (23%). pANCA titers were significantly higher (P=.003) before treatment in the FRD group (median titer 100) compared with the IBD group (median titer 1). However, there was no difference in pANCA titers between the groups after respective treatments because dogs in the IBD group had a significant increase in pANCA titer after treatment. The CIBDAI score decreased significantly (P <.001) after treatment in both groups (74% moderate to severe in FRD dogs before versus 8% after treatment; 85% moderate to severe in IBD dogs before versus 32% after treatment). There was no correlation between pANCA status in FRD or IBD dogs before treatment and scores for CIBDAI, endoscopy, or histopathology before or after treatment, except for the endoscopic duodenal score in dogs with FRD after treatment (P= .03). A positive pANCA test before therapy may aid in the diagnosis of FRD. [source]


    WEGENER'S GRANULOMATOSIS COMPLICATED WITH APHTHOID COLITIS

    DIGESTIVE ENDOSCOPY, Issue 3 2006
    Yasushi Umehara
    A 58-year-old man was admitted with upper abdominal pain and high fever. There was no abnormality on chest X-ray, abdominal ultrasonography, abdominal CT and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (C-ANCA) titers were high and a chest CT scan depicted multiple nodules in the bilateral lungs. A diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis was therefore made. Three weeks after admission, diarrhea and bloody stool developed. Colonoscopy revealed many aphthoid lesions surrounded by redness in the entire colon. Although the biopsy from aphtha did not show vasculitis or granuloma, the aphthoid lesions were suspected as a complication of Wegener's granulomatosis. As a result of predonisolone medication (60 mg/day), the plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and high fever improved promptly. In conclusion, although colonic involvement in a patient with Wegener's granulomatosis is extremely rare, it is important to keep in mind that colonic lesions might be due to vasculitis in ANCA-positive disease, such as Wegener's granulomatosis. [source]


    Anti- Saccharomyces Cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA), phenotypes of IBD, and intestinal permeability: A study in IBD families

    INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 1 2001
    Severine Vermeire
    Abstract Background Serologic markers anti- Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies with perinuclear staining (pANCA) have been proposed to study the immunopathogenesis of IBD. Their measurement may allow better phenotyping of the disease and the detection of subclinical disease. Aims To test the hypothesis that serological markers identify an immunologic trait related to disease susceptibility. We also wanted to test the hypothesis that ASCA is a marker related to abnormal tissue permeation by common antigens. Methods We studied the prevalence of pANCA and ASCA in a large cohort of sporadic and familial inflammatory bowel diseases and their unaffected relatives and spouses. Kinetics of ASCA was studied and the relationship between ASCA and 51Cr-EDTA intestinal permeation was investigated. Results ASCA was associated with sporadic Crohn's disease (CD) (63%), with Crohn's patients belonging to pure CD families (62%) and also with their unaffected family members (21%). pANCA was associated with UC (58%). The prevalence of ASCA in CD patients belonging to mixed families was strikingly low (33%). ASCA was a stable marker throughout the disease and was not related to an increased small intestinal permeability. Conclusion ASCA is strongly associated with familial CD in Belgium, and 21% of healthy family members also display the marker. The association is much weaker in patients belonging to mixed families. ASCA is a stable marker and is not a secondary phenomenon due to increased intestinal permeability. [source]


    Carbimazole-induced agranulocytosis: does antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody have a role?

    INTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL, Issue 4 2010
    G. Yip
    Abstract Carbimazole is a drug that is widely used for hyperthyroid disorders, such as Graves' disease. Agranulocytosis is a rare idiosyncratic adverse reaction to the drug which is potentially fatal. This report describes a patient with a history of successfully treated pyoderma gangrenosum, who developed agranulocytosis 3 weeks after commencement of carbimazole for Graves' disease. It may give credence to the theory that implicates antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in the pathogenesis of agranulocytosis induced by antithyroid drugs. [source]


    Lack of association of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies with joint failure as indicated by joint surgery in rheumatoid arthritis

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES, Issue 1 2005
    Andrew BROADFOOT
    Abstract Aim:, The objective of this study was to investigate a possible association in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) of perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (pANCA) and joint failure requiring joint surgery as a well-defined functional end point. Methods:, 188 patients with RA according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria, with a mean duration of disease of 18 years, were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Patients were assessed for history of joint surgery, previous/current therapies, function according to the modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (mHAQ), rheumatoid factor (RF) and clinical and laboratory parameters of disease activity. ANCA were detected using indirect immunofluorescence. Results:, Overall, 36.7% of patients were pANCA positive (including atypical pANCA) and 35.1% of patients had a history of joint surgery. There was no association between the presence of pANCA and joint surgery. No association was demonstrated between ANCA status and other prognostic markers such as RF, previous or current therapies and disease activity or function. Conclusion:, No association between pANCA and joint surgery was demonstrated in this cohort of RA patients. [source]


    Antibodies to neutrophil cytoplasma in patients with ulcerative colitis and their first-degree relatives in Thailand

    JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 8 2001
    Charkaphan Osangthamnont
    Abstract Background: The prevalence of perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (p-ANCA) does not significantly vary in ethnically diverse populations. The prevalence of p-ANCA is high in ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. While the prevalence of ulcerative colitis in Asian populations is low, it is interesting to know the prevalence of p-ANCA in such a population. Methods: Sera from 33 cases of ulcerative colitis diagnosed during the last 10 years at the diarrhea clinic, Division of Gastroenterology, Siriraj Hospital, were prospectively compared with case controls consisting of 15 cases of diarrhea from non-inflammatory bowel diseases and 25 non-diarrheic patients. Indirect immunofluorescence assay was used to detect p-ANCA in all the sera. Results: Positive p-ANCA tests were found in 13 of the 33 patients with ulcerative colitis and in one of the 40 controls. Sensitivity of the test was 39.4% and the specificity was 97.5%. The one patient with positive p-ANCA in the control group was the patient with irritable bowel syndrome. Of the 13 p-ANCA-positive ulcerative colitis patients, two cases were found to have proctosigmoiditis, seven cases had left-sided colitis, and four cases had pancolitis. Perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies was one of the 22 cases of first-degree relatives of ulcerative colitis patients (22 relatives from 12 index ulcerative colitis cases). There was no correlation between the positivity of p-ANCA and disease activity, and extent of the disease. Conclusion: The prevalence of p-ANCA in Thai patients with ulcerative colitis (39.4%) is lower than that in the Western population. Although the prevalence of p-ANCA is low in the Thai population, it should serve as a useful tool in diagnosing ulcerative colitis in this part of the world where the disease is uncommon and difficult to diagnose. The negativity of p-ANCA in almost all first-degree relatives of Thai ulcerative colitis patients should be further elucidated. [source]


    Anti- Saccharomyces cerevisiae and perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in coeliac disease before and after gluten-free diet

    ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 7 2005
    A. Granito
    Summary Background :,Anti- Saccharomyces cerevisiae and perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies are markers of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis respectively. Aim :,To determine the prevalence of anti- S. cerevisiae and perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies in a large series of coeliac disease patients before and after gluten free diet, and to correlate anti- S. cerevisiae -positivity with intestinal mucosal damage. Methods :,One hundred and five consecutive coeliac disease patients and 141 controls (22 ulcerative colitis, 24 Crohn's disease, 30 primary sclerosing cholangitis, 15 postenteritis syndrome, 50 blood donors) were tested for anti- S. cerevisiae by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and for perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies by indirect immunofluorescence. Results :,In coeliac disease anti- S. cerevisiae (immunoglobulin G and/or immunoglobulin A) were slightly less frequent (59%) than in Crohn's disease (75%, P = 0.16) and significantly more frequent than in ulcerative colitis (27%), primary sclerosing cholangitis (30%), postenteritis syndrome (26%) and blood donors (4%) (P = 0.009, P = 0.0002, P = 0.025, P < 0.0001). No correlation was found between anti- S. cerevisiae and degree of mucosal damage. Perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies were detected only in one coeliac. After gluten free diet the disappearance of anti- S. cerevisiae -immunoglobulin A (93%) was more frequent than that of immunoglobulin G (17%, P = 0.0001); perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies disappeared in the only coeliac positive at diagnosis. Conclusion :,More than half of untreated coeliacs are anti- S. cerevisiae -positive irrespective of the severity of mucosal damage. Differently from immunoglobulin A, anti- S. cerevisiae -immunoglobulin G persisted in more than 80% after gluten free diet. The high prevalence of anti- S. cerevisiae in coeliac disease suggests that they may be the effect of a non-specific immune response in course of chronic small bowel disease. [source]


    New algorithm (KAWAKAMI algorithm) to diagnose primary cutaneous vasculitis

    THE JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2010
    Tamihiro KAWAKAMI
    Abstract Palpable purpura tends to indicate involvement of small vessel vasculitis in the upper dermis. Livedo racemosa, nodular lesion and skin ulceration are indicative of involvement of small to medium-sized vessel vasculitis in the lower dermis to subcutaneous fat. We set out to establish a new algorithm (KAWAKAMI algorithm) for primary cutaneous vasculitis based on the Chapel Hill Consensus Conference classification and our research results, and apply to the diagnosis. The first step is to measure serum antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) levels. If myeloperoxidase-ANCA is positive, Churg,Strauss syndrome or microscopic polyangiitis can be suspected, and if the patient is positive for proteinase 3-ANCA, Wegener's granulomatosis is most likely. Next, if cryoglobulin is positive, cryoglobulinemic vasculitis should be suspected. Third, if direct immunofluorescence of the skin biopsy specimen reveals immunoglobulin A deposition within the affected vessels, Henoch,Schönlein purpura is indicated. Finally, the presence of anti-phosphatidylserine,prothrombin complex antibodies and/or lupus anticoagulant and histopathological necrotizing vasculitis in the upper to middle dermis (leukocytoclastic vasculitis) indicates cutaneous leukocytoclastic angiitis, whereas if necrotizing vasculitis exists in the lower dermis and/or is associated with the subcutaneous fat, cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa is indicated. The KAWAKAMI algorithm may allow us to refine our earlier diagnostic strategies and allow for efficacious treatment of primary cutaneous vasculitis. In cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa, warfarin or clopidogrel therapies should be administrated, and in cases that have associated active inflammatory lesions, corticosteroids or mizoribine (mycophenolate mofetil) therapy should be added. We further propose prophylactic treatment of renal complications in patients with Henoch,Schönlein purpura. [source]


    Fifty years of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) testing: do we need to revise the international consensus statement on testing and reporting on ANCA?

    APMIS, Issue 2009
    JAN WILLEM COHEN TERVAERT
    During the first international workshop on antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), Copenhagen 25 and 26 January 1988, ANCA, as detected by the indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) technique, was extensively discussed. Cytoplasmic fluorescence pattern was found in patients with vasculitis. In contrast, perinuclear fluorescence pattern was found in vasculitis but also in many other inflammatory disorders. At the workshop, it was stated that IIF should be combined with an antigen-specific technique and capture and direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques were discussed. In 1999/2003, an international consensus statement on testing and reporting on ANCA was published. For vasculitis, IIF was advocated as a screening assay, followed by an antigen-specific assay. In other non-vasculitic inflammatory diseases, only IIF on ethanol-fixed granulocytes was advocated. Recently, it was demonstrated that antigen-specific tests could be used as screening tests. Furthermore, it became clear that antigen-specific tests, in which antigens are directly coated to the solid phase, demonstrate highly variable sensitivities and specificities, whereas when capture or anchor technologies are used, more reproducible results are obtained. Based on these studies, we propose that the international consensus statement on ANCA should be revised. [source]


    Most proteinase3- and myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays perform less well in treated small-vessel vasculitis than in active disease

    APMIS, Issue 2009
    JUDY SAVIGE
    Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) levels have been thought to follow disease activity, with levels being high at presentation, declining with treatment and increasing just before relapse. However, we have shown that ANCA often persist for many years in patients with clinically inactive Wegener's granulomatosis. ANCA assays are less sensitive for treated disease than for active disease, and the levels in treated patients produce different results in different assay systems. ANCA often persist for years without relapse, and the risk of relapse probably depend on levels that are critical for any individual patient. The capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays may be more sensitive in detecting early relapse. Relapse is more common when ANCA levels are high but, although elevated, ANCA levels are lower in relapse than at presentation. Standardized ANCA levels for the definitions of remission and relapse may not be possible, and the optimal ANCA testing protocol for treated disease remains unclear. [source]


    Epitope-specific anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies: Do they matter?

    APMIS, Issue 2009
    Can they be detected?
    Proteinase 3 (PR3)-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA are suggested to play a pathogenic role as they are closely related to the small-vessel vasculitis syndromes, Wegener's granulomatosis and microscopic polyangiitis. A large body of in vitro and animal experiments supports this concept. The mechanisms of action involve a direct interaction between ANCA and its antigen. The epitope specificity of ANCA may therefore influence the functional effects of ANCA and/or may reflect the mechanisms behind different disease manifestations or disease courses. [source]


    The emergence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies may precede the clinical onset of Churg-Strauss syndrome

    ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 2 2009
    Jochen Zwerina MD
    No abstract is available for this article. [source]


    Bilateral combined retinal and choroidal detachment in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-positive scleritis

    ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 4 2003
    B Non Matthews
    Abstract. Purpose:, To describe a rare complication of scleritis in a patient with positive serum antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA). Methods:, We present a case report of a patient who developed bilateral retinal and choroidal detachment associated with ANCA-positive scleritis. Results:, Oral steroids alone were insufficient to maintain sustained remission of ocular inflammation. Clinical relapse of the scleritis was associated with ANCA titres becoming positive again. A combination of cyclophosphamide and steroids was successful in achieving control of the intraocular inflammation over a follow-up period of 18 months. Conclusion:, Bilateral combined retinal and choroidal detachment is a potentially blinding complication of ANCA-positive scleritis. Monitoring of ANCA titres is useful in the management of the disease. [source]


    The use of small molecule high-throughput screening to identify inhibitors of the proteinase 3-NB1 interaction

    CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2 2010
    M. Choi
    Summary Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) to proteinase 3 (PR3) are found in patients with small-vessel vasculitis. PR3-ANCA bind strongly to membrane PR3 (mPR3) that is presented by the NB1 receptor. We performed high-throughput screening using a small molecule library to identify compounds that inhibit PR3-NB1 binding. We established a human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cell-based system, where approximately 95 ± 2% of the NB1-transfected cells expressed the NB1 receptor on the cell surface. Addition of 0·1 µg/ml human PR3 to 104 NB1-expressing HEK293 cells resulted in PR3 binding that was detected by immunofluorescence using a fluorescence plate reader assay. We identified 13 of 20 000 molecules that inhibited PR3 binding by >70%. Seven of 13 substances showed reproducible inhibition in four additional validation experiments. Two selected compounds (27519 and 27549) demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibition over a range from 6·25 to 100 µM as measured by the plate reader assay. We used flow cytometry as a second assay, and found that both compounds reproducibly inhibited PR3 binding to NB1-transfected HEK293 cells at 50 µM (inhibition to 42 ± 4% with compound 27519 and to 47 ± 6% with compound 27549 compared to the dimethylsulphoxide control). Furthermore, compounds 27519 and 27549 also inhibited binding of exogenous PR3 to human neutrophils. In contrast, the compounds did not decrease mPR3 expression on resting neutrophils, but reduced the tumour necrosis factor-,-mediated mPR3 increase on NB1pos neutrophils when present continuously during the assay. The findings suggest that small inhibitory compounds provide a potential therapeutic tool to reduce mPR3 by preventing its binding to NB1. [source]


    Elevated neutrophil membrane expression of proteinase 3 is dependent upon CD177 expression

    CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2010
    M. Abdgawad
    Summary Proteinase 3 (PR3) is a major autoantigen in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated systemic vasculitis (AASV), and the proportion of neutrophils expressing PR3 on their membrane (mPR3+) is increased in AASV. We have shown recently that mPR3 and CD177 are expressed on the same cells in healthy individuals. In this study we try to elucidate mechanisms behind the increased mPR3 expression in AASV and its relationship to CD177. All neutrophils in all individuals were either double-positive or double-negative for mPR3 and CD177. The proportion of double-positive neutrophils was increased significantly in AASV and systemic lupus erythematosus patients. The proportion of mPR3+/CD177+ cells was not correlated to general inflammation, renal function, age, sex, drug treatment and levels of circulating PR3. AASV patients had normal levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte,macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Pro-PR3 was found to constitute 10% of circulating PR3 but none of the mPR3. We found increased mRNA levels of both PR3 and CD177 in AASV, but they did not correlate with the proportion of double-positive cells. In cells sorted based on membrane expression, CD177,mRNA was several-fold higher in mPR3+ cells. When exogenous PR3 was added to CD177-transfected U937 cells, only CD177+ cells bound PR3 to their membrane. In conclusion, the increased membrane expression of PR3 found in AASV is not linked directly to circulating PR3 or PR3 gene transcription, but is dependent upon CD177 expression and correlated with the transcription of the CD177 gene. [source]


    Propylthiouracil and carbimazole associated-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in patients with Graves' disease

    CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 6 2004
    L. Harper
    Summary objective, Propylthiouracil treatment of Graves' disease has been postulated to provoke antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis. We aimed to investigate whether carbimazole therapy was also associated with increased risk of ANCA. design, The occurrence of ANCA and the relationship to thionamide treatment was investigated in a cross-sectional study in a consecutive series of 407 patients' with Graves' disease, 200 with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and 649 normal euthyroid subjects. measurements, ANCA was measured by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for proteinase 3 and myeloperoxidase-ANCA. results, The prevalence of ANCA, as measured by IIF, was increased in the Graves' disease cohort (19·9%) compared with euthyroid controls (4·6%; P < 0·001). The prevalence of MPO-ANCA (measured by ELISA) was also increased in Graves' disease (P = 0·019). ANCA prevalence was more strongly associated with propylthiouracil treatment than carbimazole (P = 0·0265), although risk of ANCA was also higher in Graves' patients treated with carbimazole than controls (RR 2·2, P < 0·0001). ANCA positivity was not increased in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. conclusion, This study revealed a high prevalence of ANCA in treated patients with Graves' disease but not in those with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Furthermore, within the Graves' disease population, ANCA development was associated with propylthiouracil usage to a greater extent than carbimazole. These findings suggest that the altered immune environment associated with autoimmune thyroid disease is not sufficient to develop ANCA but treatment with thionamides is important in promoting ANCA development. [source]


    Necrotizing vasculitis in a patient affected by autoimmune hyperthyroidism treated with propylthiouracil

    DERMATOLOGIC THERAPY, Issue 2010
    Angela Antonucci
    ABSTRACT Necrotizing vasculitis is a complex phenomenon because of an inflammation of small and larger vessels with polymorph infiltration within the vessel walls and leukocytoclasis, occurring in several autoimmune diseases. Propylthiouracil (PTU) is a medication commonly used to treat hyperthyroidism, but it is associated with various rare side effects, such as antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody-positive vasculitis. In the last decades, multiple cases of PTU causing antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody have been reported, some of them fatal. The present authors report the case of a 34-year-old Caucasian female affected by autoimmune hyperthyroidism treated with PTU, presenting an antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody-positive necrotizing vasculitis, with high levels of anticardiolipin antibodies that involved the upper arms and buttocks. The clinical manifestations improved after discontinuing of PTU and immunosuppressant treatment. [source]


    Carbimazole-induced agranulocytosis: does antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody have a role?

    INTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL, Issue 4 2010
    G. Yip
    Abstract Carbimazole is a drug that is widely used for hyperthyroid disorders, such as Graves' disease. Agranulocytosis is a rare idiosyncratic adverse reaction to the drug which is potentially fatal. This report describes a patient with a history of successfully treated pyoderma gangrenosum, who developed agranulocytosis 3 weeks after commencement of carbimazole for Graves' disease. It may give credence to the theory that implicates antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in the pathogenesis of agranulocytosis induced by antithyroid drugs. [source]


    Prevalence and clinical significance of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody in Graves' patients treated with propylthiouracil

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 2 2009
    M.Ozduman Cin
    Summary Development of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) during therapy with propylthiouracil (PTU) is not uncommon and PTU-induced ANCA-positive vasculitis is also reported. The aim of this study was to assess the presence and clinical significance of ANCA positivity in Graves' patients treated with PTU. Newly diagnosed Graves' disease patients (prospective group, n = 58) were evaluated before and during therapy with PTU to investigate the development of ANCA positivity. ANCA positivity is also investigated in previously diagnosed Graves' patients who had already been receiving PTU treatment (cross-sectional group, n = 51). Comparisons with Hashimoto thyroiditis (n = 55) and toxic nodular goitre (n = 20) patients, and healthy control subjects (n = 20) were carried out to define the possible influence of hyperthyroidism and/or thyroid autoimmunity on ANCA positivity. At baseline evaluation, ANCA was negative in all newly diagnosed Graves' patients. Only 28 of the 58 patients in prospective group completed 2 years of follow-up which occurred at 3-month intervals. ANCA positivity was detected 32.1% (n = 9) in a mean period of 11.7 ± 6.1 months in prospective group. Only two (3.9%) patients in a cross-sectional group had ANCA positivity in a mean treatment period of 7.6 ± 4.6 months. None of the patients with ANCA positivity developed symptoms and signs related to vasculitis. None of the patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis and toxic nodular goitre, and healthy control subjects had ANCA positivity. PTU therapy is associated with asymptomatic production of ANCA in a time-dependent manner, which mostly disappears after discontinuation of therapy. Hyperthyroidism or autoimmunity per se does not appear to have effect on development of ANCA positivity. [source]


    ,1-Antitrypsin deficiency presenting with panniculitis and incidental discovery of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 10 2007
    Gretchen Korver MD
    A 60-year-old man presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with large, painful, indurated plaques on the right thigh, left abdomen, left chest, and right chest, which began without any preceding trauma on the right thigh 3 weeks prior to presentation in the ED. He was initially treated with cefazolin 1 g three times daily as home infusions. When the lesions continued to progress, he was admitted to the hospital and placed on amoxicillin/clavulanate and vancomycin. He had a single episode of fever of 102°F, but his white blood cell count and differential remained normal. An initial biopsy showed a dermal inflammatory infiltrate composed primarily of neutrophils and eosinophils with rare flame figures in the dermis. There was minimal fat seen in this biopsy. A differential diagnosis of Wells or Sweet's syndrome was entertained, and he was placed on 60 mg/day prednisone with no resolution of his symptoms. The patient's past medical history included hypertension, hyperlipidemia, peripheral neuropathy, and hiatal hernia. His family history was significant for emphysema in both parents and coronary artery disease in his father. Both of his parents smoked cigarettes. His grandfather, who was a coal miner, also had emphysema. Whilst on antibiotics and prednisone, the plaques on the patient's right thigh, right abdomen, and left chest expanded and ulcerated, draining an oily liquid (Figs 1 and 2). An incisional biopsy was obtained from his thigh. Histopathology showed a septal and lobular panniculitis with fat necrosis, neutrophils, and histiocytes (Fig. 3). Special stains for organisms were negative. Tissue sent for bacterial and fungal culture had no growth. Amylase and lipase levels were normal. Rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibody (ANA), antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA), cryoglobulins, and antiphospholipid antibodies were all normal. The ,1-antitrypsin level was low at 25 mg/dL (ref. 75,135). The ,1-antitrypsin phenotype was PiZZ. Figure 1. Indurated plaques on right chest and thigh and left chest Figure 2. Ulcerated plaques on left chest Figure 3. Septal and lobular panniculitis with fat necrosis. Hematoxylin and eosin ×10 The patient had a normal glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase level and was placed on dapsone 200 mg/day. The inflammation resolved and, over the course of several months, the involved areas healed with scarring. The patient denied any pulmonary complaints but, during his hospitalization, was found incidentally to have an oxygen saturation of 88% on room air. He was sent for evaluation by a pulmonologist, and pulmonary function tests revealed a mixed restrictive and obstructive pattern with a forced expiratory volume in 1 to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) ratio of 63% of predicted. He had never smoked. He was placed on supplemental oxygen but, as his pulmonary disease has been stable, he has not been treated with intravenous antitrypsin inhibitor. [source]


    Cutaneous sarcoid-like granulomas with alveolar hemorrhage and c-ANCA PR-3

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 9 2004
    Natividade Rocha MD
    A 28-year-old woman, employed as a leather factory worker, noted asymptomatic, well-delimited plaques on both knees, 6 years ago. The plaques were violaceous with a smooth surface. One appeared over a post-traumatic scar from childhood (Fig. 1). Two years later, she began to complain of symptoms suggestive of polyarthritis, first of the small joints of the hands (proximal interphalanges) and then of the larger joints (wrists, elbows, and knees). She was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and began treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for 1 month without any change. Deflazacort, 12 mg/day, and hydroxychloroquine, 400 mg/day, were administered for 3 months, with improvement of her articular complaints, but not her skin lesions. Figure 1. Well-delimited, violaceous plaques with a smooth surface on the knees, one over an old post-traumatic scar One year later, she complained of dysphonia, which remitted spontaneously after some weeks. After one additional year, she noted papules, with similar characteristics to the plaques, on the elbows, and two well-delimited orange-to-brown plaques on the forehead (Fig. 2). Figure 2. Orange,brown plaques symmetrically placed on the forehead During the fifth year of the disease, she was referred for the first time to a dermatologist, who biopsied one of the knee lesions. The histologic result was compatible with "sarcoid granuloma." At that time, she presented with skin lesions as her only complaint. Sarcoidosis was suspected based on a chest X-ray, which revealed hilar lymphadenopathy and diffuse accentuation of the interstitium. In November 2000, she suddenly developed fever (40 °C), cough with hemoptysis, dysphonia, and subcutaneous nodules on the palmar surface of the fingers of both hands that were painless, well-delimited, 5 mm in diameter, and firm (Fig. 3). She reported a weight loss of 12 kg in the previous 3 months. Pulmonary condensation was found on auscultation, and she had palpable hepatomegaly. Peripheral lymphadenopathy was not present. Figure 3. Painless, well-delimited, firm subcutaneous nodules on the palmar surface of the fingers Laboratory investigations revealed normochromic, normocytic anemia (hemoglobin, 7.7 g/dL), iron deficit, a white blood cell count of 16,000/µL with neutrophilia, an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 130 mm/h, elevation of liver enzymes, a slight increase in angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) level (72 U/L), hypergammaglobulinemia (IgG, 3350 mg/dL), antinuclear antibody (ANA) of 1 : 320, and a slight increase in CD4 and decrease in CD8 lymphocytes with normal cellular morphology in blood. Renal function, urine sediment, urine and serum calcium, complement (C4), dsDNA, antimitochondrial antibody, direct and indirect Coombs test, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA), tuberculin skin tests, viral markers of hepatitis B, C, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), electrocardiogram (ECG), ophthalmic examinations, and culture for infectious agents in blood and sputum were all normal or negative. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed an infiltrate in the upper right pulmonary lobule with a central cavity and bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy (Fig. 4). Homogeneous hepatosplenomegaly was present. The bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) showed a slight lymphocytic increase predominantly of CD8 cells and hemosiderosis. Stains for infectious agents, including acid-fast bacillus, fungi, Mycoplasma, and Legionella, were negative. Three biopsies from the forehead, elbows, and knees showed well-formed noncaseating epithelioid cell granulomas with giant cells of the Langhans type in the dermis, suggestive of sarcoidosis (Figs 5 and 6). A fourth biopsy from a finger nodule demonstrated inflammatory infiltration of the dermis and necrosis with cellular debris. Vasculitis was not seen (Fig. 7). Figure 4. Computed tomography scan showing an infiltrate in the upper right pulmonary lobule with a central cavity Figure 5. Beneath a flattened epidermis, several sarcoid granulomas composed of epithelioid histiocytes and several multinucleated giant cells of Langhans type can be seen (hematoxylin and eosin, ×10) Figure 6. Less well-formed sarcoid granulomas in a hyperkeratotic area, surrounded by a sparse rim of lymphocytes (hematoxylin and eosin, ×20) Figure 7. Foci of necrosis and fibrinoid degeneration with some neutrophil infiltration and nuclear dusting (hematoxylin and eosin, ×40) The patient was treated with a broad-spectrum empirical antimicrobial (levofloxacin, 500 mg daily intravenously) over 12 days, with prompt improvement in her symptoms and remission of the forehead and finger lesions. Nevertheless, on the first evaluation after hospitalization, the CT scan showed persistence of the pulmonary cavity (Fig. 8). A repeat ANCA determination was positive (cytoplasmic pattern, c-ANCA) at 1 : 640 by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF). Antiproteinase-3 antibody was demonstrated at 78 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Figure 8. Computed tomography scan showing persistence of the pulmonary cavity She underwent an open lung biopsy which revealed intra-alveolar hemorrhage and scanty noncaseating epithelioid cell granulomas of the sarcoidosis type in the peripheral blood vessels without vasculitis. A diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis was made and she began prednisolone (1 mg/kg/day) and oral cyclophosphamide (2 mg/kg/day). One year later, she is asymptomatic, the skin lesions have completely remitted, c-ANCA is negative, and the CT scan shows partial regression of the pulmonary cavity. [source]


    Cutaneous manifestations of Wegener's granulomatosis: a clinicopathologic study of 17 patients and correlation to antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody status

    JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 10 2007
    Nneka I. Comfere
    Background:, Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), a systemic vasculitis, can be associated with cutaneous signs and symptoms before, during or after the diagnosis of systemic disease. Methods:, We reviewed clinical and histologic features of cutaneous lesions from 17 patients with WG. The temporal relationship between development of cutaneous symptoms and onset of systemic disease was determined, and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) status of the patients was also established. Results:, In six patients, systemic and cutaneous disease developed concurrently. In eight patients, cutaneous disease developed after patients received the diagnosis of systemic disease. In three patients, cutaneous disease preceded systemic disease. Cytoplasmic ANCA or proteinase-3-ANCA [c-ANCA/proteinase 3 (PR3)-ANCA] serologic test results were negative for one patient when cutaneous disease developed, and one patient had c-ANCA/PR3-ANCA seroconversion a year before systemic disease developed. Histopathologic features of cutaneous WG were not limited to leukocytoclastic vasculitis; they also included acneiform perifollicular and dermal granulomatous inflammation and palisaded neutrophilic and granulomatous inflammation. Conclusions:, Patients with WG can present initially with cutaneous symptoms. Histopathologic patterns vary, but leukocytoclastic vasculitis is most commonly noted. Patients with WG and skin lesions are likely to have positive c-ANCA/PR3-ANCA serologic test results. [source]


    Clinical aspects of ulcerative colitis in mainland China

    JOURNAL OF DIGESTIVE DISEASES, Issue 2 2006
    Jia Ju ZHENG
    Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is reported to be increasing in incidence and prevalence in provinces and cities in mainland China. This article specifically reviews clinical features, extra-intestinal manifestations, complications, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, and medical treatment of UC. Compared to patients in Western countries, more mild to moderate and left-sided colitis cases were observed in a nation-wide study in China. Complications included anal fistula, anal abscess, anal fissure, severe bleeding, intestinal perforation, intestinal obstruction and colonic carcinoma. The extra-intestinal manifestations were arthritis/arthralgia, eye and skin disorders and oral ulcers. The high specificity of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody may useful for distinguishing UC from infectious colitis; in addition, serum levels of antisaccharomyces cerevisia antibody may helpful for distinguishing between UC and CD. Oral sulfasalazine and 5-aminosalicylic acid (ASA) remain the mainstays for the management of mild to moderate UC in China. Corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents are also widely used in severe or refractory UC. [source]


    Propylthiouracil-induced vasculitic oral ulcers with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody

    JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 1 2006
    Y Karincaoglu
    [source]


    Perinuclear Antineutrophilic Cytoplasmic Antibody and Response to Treatment in Diarrheic Dogs with Food Responsive Disease or Inflammatory Bowel Disease

    JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2006
    Nicole Luckschander
    The goal of this study was to investigate the correlation between perinuclear antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (pANCA) and clinical scores before and after treatment in diarrheic dogs with food-responsive disease (FRD) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). pANCA serology was evaluated prospectively by indirect immunofluorescence in 65 dogs with signs of gastrointestinal disease, and if positive, pANCA antibody titers were determined. Thirty-nine dogs with FRD responded to a novel diet, and 26 dogs with IBD were treated with corticosteroids. The severity of clinical signs was scored by means of a canine IBD activity index (CIBDAI). At initial examination, a significantly (P= .002) higher percentage of dogs were pANCA-positive in the FRD group (62%) compared with the IBD group (23%). pANCA titers were significantly higher (P=.003) before treatment in the FRD group (median titer 100) compared with the IBD group (median titer 1). However, there was no difference in pANCA titers between the groups after respective treatments because dogs in the IBD group had a significant increase in pANCA titer after treatment. The CIBDAI score decreased significantly (P <.001) after treatment in both groups (74% moderate to severe in FRD dogs before versus 8% after treatment; 85% moderate to severe in IBD dogs before versus 32% after treatment). There was no correlation between pANCA status in FRD or IBD dogs before treatment and scores for CIBDAI, endoscopy, or histopathology before or after treatment, except for the endoscopic duodenal score in dogs with FRD after treatment (P= .03). A positive pANCA test before therapy may aid in the diagnosis of FRD. [source]


    Aneurysms of the renal arteries associated with segmental arterial mediolysis in a case of polyarteritis nodosa

    PATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2009
    Yoshiko Soga
    This is the first report of segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) accompanied with polyarteritis nodosa (PN), and manifesting aneurysms of the renal arteries. A 73-year-old woman was admitted to hospital because of a high fever. Laboratory tests showed leukocytosis with increased CRP level in the serum. Myeloperoxidase-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA) and proteinase 3 (PR3)-ANCA were negative. There were no signs indicating infection or malignancy. After admission renal function rapidly deteriorated. Treatment was then started with daily oral prednisolone and hemodialysis. On the 40th day of hospitalization the patient suddenly became comatose. Cranial CT showed a subarachnoid hemorrhage. The patient died and an autopsy was performed. The pathological findings showed necrotizing vasculitis of the small arteries in various organs, but not associated with that of arterioles or renal glomerular lesions, indicating PN. Unexpectedly, the segmental arteries of the bilateral kidneys showed vascular lesions of dissecting aneurysms, indicating SAM. This case indicates that SAM is one of the causes of aneurysms in PN and is clinically important when the clinical course of PN patients rapidly advances. [source]


    Autopsy case of microscopic polyangiitis with crescentic glomerulonephritis and necrotizing pancreatitis

    PATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 8 2005
    Satoshi Iwasa
    Herein is reported the case of an 84-year-old woman who initially manifested rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis following a urinary tract infection. Laboratory findings showed a high titer of myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA). Treatment with high-dose i.v. steroids resulted in clinical recovery and an undetectable MPO-ANCA titer. Two months later the patient was readmitted in a state of severe shock. Laboratory examination showed the deterioration of renal function, leukocytosis, and coagulation abnormalities consistent with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The patient died 12 days later. The post-mortem examination revealed necrotizing pancreatitis due to acute-stage vasculitis typified by fibrinoid necrosis of the arterioles and venules, and crescentic glomerulonephritis with healed-stage vasculitis. In the lungs, capillaritis with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage was not evident, but arteriolitis and phlebitis were occasionally seen. This case represents an unusual complication of necrotizing pancreatitis in the setting of microscopic polyangiitis. Thus, it is important to consider reactivation independent of the titer of ANCA in the course of the disease. [source]


    Systemic granulomatous necrotizing vasculitis in a MPO,ANCA-positive patient

    PATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 8 2004
    Atsushi Kurata
    We present a case of myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO,ANCA)-associated vasculitis that demonstrated a systemic granulomatous lesion at autopsy. The patient initially showed anorexia, general malaise and anemia. Colon fiber was examined to detect the bleeding site, which revealed ischemic mucosal damage associated with venous fibrin thrombus. Because a high titer of MPO,ANCA was found, ANCA-associated vasculitis was suspected and the patient was started on steroid pulse therapy. However, anemia, renal failure and respiratory failure worsened and the patient died of sudden cardiac failure 2 days after the start of the therapy. An autopsy revealed systemic arteritis in multiple organs including the kidneys, liver, spleen, gastrointestinal system and genital organs that indicated fibrinoid necrosis accompanied by granulomatous reaction with multinucleated giant cells; the granulomatous reaction further extended along the splenic capsule. Glomerulonephritis and diffuse pulmonary damage, which are common in MPO,ANCA-associated vasculitis, were almost absent but parapleural fibrosis was present. The direct cause of death was presumed to be hemorrhagic shock due to rupture of an aneurysm in the gastric subserosa. As far as we know, this is the first case of a systemic granulomatous reaction in MPO,ANCA-positive vasculitis, although the cause of the granulomatous lesion is unknown. [source]


    Pulmonary fibrosis in myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitides

    RESPIROLOGY, Issue 2 2004
    Sakae HOMMA
    Objective: The association of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) with myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA)-associated vasculitides has not been well documented. The aim of this study was to assess the clinicopathological characteristics of PF in patients who tested positive for MPO-ANCA. Methodology: In this study, 31 patients (17 males and 14 females; mean age, 69 years) diagnosed as having PF with positive MPO-ANCA levels ranging from 10 to 840 EU with a mean of 112.5 EU, were evaluated clinicopathologically. Results: Among 31 patients with PF, 22 had underlying systemic diseases such as collagen vascular diseases, while nine had unknown aetiology. Evidence of glomerulonephritis was demonstrated in 14 patients. The clinical features were a history of dry cough and/or fine crackles in all 31 patients. Chest CT scans showed honeycombing in the lung bases in 26 patients. The histopathological features of the diseased lung tissues in all 11 autopsied cases were compatible with the usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern. Vasculitis was confirmed in bronchial arteries and/or pulmonary arterioles in five patients. The mortality was as high as 13 of the 31 patients. The causes of death were: deterioration of PF in five (two of whom were associated with pulmonary haemorrhage), lung cancer in two, pneumonia in four, and digestive tract bleeding in two. The survival rates in PF with MPO-ANCA-negative collagen vascular diseases, cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis (CFA), and PF with positive MPO-ANCA, were compared. The 5-year survival rate in PF with positive MPO-ANCA was worse than in PF with MPO-ANCA-negative collagen vascular diseases and was the same for CFA. Conclusion: Although there was no correlation between MPO-ANCA titres and the activity of PF, this study demonstrated that the presence of positive MPO-ANCA was an unfavorable prognostic factor in patients with PF. [source]


    Successful Induction of Remission With Rituximab for Relapse of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis Post-Kidney Transplant: Report of Two Cases

    AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 12 2007
    D. Geetha
    Kidney transplantation should be considered the treatment of choice for patients with end-stage renal disease due to antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis (AAV). However, relapses of AAV have been reported to occur in 9,40% of cases following kidney transplantation and may adversely affect allograft outcome. These relapses are usually treated with cyclophosphamide (CYC) and glucocorticoids, but the repeated use of CYC carries a risk of substantial toxicity that may limit or prohibit its use in some patients. B lymphocytes have been implicated in the pathogenesis of AAV, and their depletion has been effective as salvage therapy for refractory disease in the nontransplant setting. We report the successful induction of remission using rituximab in two patients who suffered relapse of AAV post-kidney transplant. Given the substantial morbidity and adverse effects of CYC, rituximab appears to be a suitable alternative agent to treat relapses of AAV posttransplantation. [source]