[Antibodies against neutrophil cytoplasm. A new group of autoantibodies]

Antibodies against cytoplasmic antigens of neutrophils are a recently described group of autoantibodies associated with some types of primary systemic vasculitis and necrotizing glomerulonephritis. In clinical practice they are a useful laboratory examination which helps with the diagnosis of this group of diseases and to follow up their activity and response to treatment. The existence of ANCA implies also a new aspect of classification of vasculitis. The autoimmune reaction of ANCA with lysosomal enzymes is also another possible mechanism of development of tissue damage. The submitted paper is a review of literature on the importance of ANCA from the practical as well as theoretical aspect.