Antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) associated vasculitides--immunologic and clinical aspects

The author reviews the opinions on vasculitis pathogenesis which is based on the direct noxa impact, active immunity process against the specific components of the vascular tissue and/or passive impact of the inflammatory process upon vessels. The detection is especially based on two most important ANCA tests, i.e. indirect immunofluorescence and ELISA. The author includes also the sensitivity and specificity of these examinations and their predictive value in progressive glomerulonephritis, Wegener's granulomatosis and other diseases. (Tab. 1, Ref. 20.).