[Autoantibody diagnosis in Wegener's granulomatosis]

Anticytoplasmic antibodies (ACPA) against myelomonocytic cells were demonstrable in 54 of 72 patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). Other autoantibodies (including ANA, AMAb, RF and anti-ENA) were only found in a low frequence and titre. The presence of ACPA correlated with the severity and activity of the disease. These results demonstrated that ACPA is a valuable tool to establish the diagnosis and to monitor disease activity in WG.