Contents
1Targets
2Medical conditions
3See also
4References
Targets[edit]
p-ANCAs stain the perinuclear region by binding to specific targets. By far the most common p-
ANCA target is myeloperoxidase (MPO), a neutrophil granule protein whose primary role in normal
metabolic processes is generation of oxygen radicals.
ANCA will less commonly form against alternative antigens that may also result in a p-ANCA pattern.
These include lactoferrin; elastase; and cathepsin G.
When the condition is a vasculitis, the target is usually MPO.[1] However, the proportion of p-ANCA
sera with anti-MPO antibodies has been reported to be as low as 12%.[2]
Medical conditions[edit]
p-ANCA is associated with several medical conditions:[3]
It is fairly specific, but not sensitive for ulcerative colitis, so is not useful as a sole diagnostic
test.[4] When measured together with anti-saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA), p-
ANCA has been estimated to have a specificity of 97% and a sensitivity of 48% in differentiating
patients with ulcerative colitis from normal controls.[5]
Approximately 50% of cases of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis
A majority of primary sclerosing cholangitis
Microscopic polyangiitis [6]
Focal necrotizing and crescentic glomerulonephritis
Rheumatoid arthritis