ANCA ANTIBODIES OF THE PERINUCLEAR TYPE (P-ANCA)

Some neutrophil cytoplasmic auto-antibodies produce perinuclear immuno staining of alcohol-fixed neutrophils called P-Anca pattern. These autoantibodies show chiefly reactivity with myeloperoxydase in Elisa but other specificities have been detected (elastase, cathepsine, lactoferrine). These P-Anca anti-MPO are more frequent with renal angiitis but P-Anca (anti-MPO negative) are associated with other diseases without renal failure (rheumatoid arthritis, Gougerot-Sjogren and ulceritis colitis).