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An Automated Differential Nuclear Staining Assay for Accurate Determination of Mitocan Cytotoxicity
Published on: May 12, 2020
How far you can trust c-ANCA?
Halis Kaan Akturk1, Priyanka Vashisht
1Department of Internal Medicine, Creighton University Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA. kaanakturk@yahoo.com
BMJ Case Reports
|March 5, 2013
Summary
A smoker with persistent cough and weight loss may have a serious condition. This case highlights the differential diagnosis of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (c-ANCA) positive interstitial lung disease.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Immunology
- Radiology
Background:
- Persistent cough and weight loss in smokers can indicate serious lung conditions.
- Diagnostic tools like serology and imaging are crucial but require careful interpretation.
- Understanding the specificity of diagnostic tests is vital for accurate diagnosis.
Observation:
- A 62-year-old male smoker presented with persistent cough, weight loss, and hypoxia.
- Chest X-ray showed bilateral interstitial infiltrates.
- Initial antibiotic treatments were ineffective.
Findings:
- Serological tests revealed antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (c-ANCA) positivity.
- A lung biopsy confirmed cryptogenic organizing pneumonia.
- This case underscores the complexity of diagnosing interstitial lung disease with c-ANCA positivity.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering cryptogenic organizing pneumonia in c-ANCA positive interstitial lung disease.
- Emphasizes the need for thorough differential diagnosis beyond initial serological findings.
- Provides insights into managing challenging respiratory cases in clinical practice.

