Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies and associated diseases: A review of the clinical and laboratory features

Abstract

There have been a number of recent advances in this field. First, the 'International Consensus Statement on Testing and Reporting of Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies (ANCA)' has been developed to optimize ANCA testing. It requires that all sera are tested by indirect immunofluorescent (IIF) examination of normal peripheral blood neutrophils and, where there is positive fluorescence, in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for antibodies against both proteinase 3 (PR3) and myeloperoxidase (MPO). Testing will be further improved when international standards and common ELISA units are available. Second, new diagnostic criteria for the small vessel vasculitides that take into account..