Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) and infection

As ANCA are occasionally noted in patients with infectious disorders independently of any vasculitis process, we examined serum from patients with acute infection (n = 22) and septic shock (n = 57). Only two patients with acute infection were ANCA positive as determined by indirect immunofluorescence and western blot analysis. The clinical recovery of both patients was associated with negative immunofluorescence and western blot tests.