Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies (ANCA)

For a brief introduction and guide to abbreviations, see Laboratory Tests: General Remarks.

Analyte [material]

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) [S/P]

Reference range, target level, or decision threshold

Titer <1:10-1:20 (depending on method)!!!

Interpretation of results

↑ c-ANCA: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis, microscopic polyangiitis, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, subacute glomerulonephritis

↑ p-ANCA: Microscopic polyangiitis, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, subacute glomerulonephritis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, drug-induced immune response, ulcerative colitis, Crohn disease, autoimmune liver diseases, systemic connective tissue diseases, HIV infection

ANCAs are present in autoimmune vasculitis, including Wegener granulomatosis and microscopic polyangiitis; c-ANCAs, in Wegener granulomatosis; p-ANCAs, predominately in microscopic polyangiitis. Negative ANCA results do not exclude ANCA-associated vasculitis or irritable bowel disease.