[Antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA)--in patients with connective tissue diseases]

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) attack primary cytoplasmic granules of neutrophil leukocytes and lysosomes of monocytes. Indirect immunofluorescence technique distinguished two types of ANCA: genuine of cytoplasmic (c-ANCA) and perinuclear (p-ANCA). ANCA were followed up at patients with systemic connective tissue diseases who underwent a treatment at Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology of Clinical Hospital Osijek. p-ANCA were found at 15 patients. Its titre dependent upon the stage of the disease. This very finding pointed out the importance of ANCA not only as a valid additional diagnostic factor but as a strong prognostic marker in particular systemic connective tissue diseases as well.