Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 13, 2026

Colorectal Cancer Cell Surface Protein Profiling Using an Antibody Microarray and Fluorescence Multiplexing
Published on: September 25, 2011
[p-ANCA and ASCA antibodies in the differential diagnosis between ulcerative rectocolitis and Crohn's disease]
Pierenrico Lecis1, Bastianello Germanà, Nunziato Papa
1Unità Operativa Autonoma di Gastroenterologia, Ospedale San Martino, Belluno.
Unlabelled:
Anti-Saccaromyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) seem to be associated with Crohn's disease (CD), while anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (p-ANCA) seem to be a recognised marker for ulcerative colitis (UC).
Aim:
Of our study was to determine whether the presence of ASCA and p-ANCA antibodies could differentiate CD from UC and IBD from aspecific chronic colitis (ACC).
Methods:
Serum samples were obtained from 23 patients with CD and 32 with UC, and from 13 patients with aspecific chronic colitis. Diagnosis was established on clinical findings, endoscopy and histology. Determination of ASCA and p-ANCA antibodies was performed using indirect immunofluorescence technique and ELISA, respectively.
Results:
20% CD patients against 50% UC patients expressed p-ANCA (p < 0.05). Vice versa 61% CD patients against 16% UC patients expressed ASCA (p < 0.05). The combination of positive ASCA and negative p-ANCA determined a sensibility, specificity and positive predictive value of 45%, 91% and 75% respectively, for diagnosis of CD. The combination of positive p-ANCA and negative ASCA determined a sensibility, specificity and positive predictive value of 44%, 95% and 94% respectively, for diagnosis of UC.
Conclusion:
Our results indicate that ASCA are principally expressed in patients with CD, by contrast p-ANCA seem to be strongly associated with UC. The combination of these two tests can be useful in evaluating patients with indeterminate colitis, distinguishing UC from CD.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the colonic...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations

