Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies (ANCA): New Tools in the Diagnosis and Follow-Up of Necrotizing Glomerulonephritis and Vasculitis

摘要: Vasculitis refers to an inflammatory process affecting blood vessels. It may represent a manifestation of disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis or mixed cryoglobulinemia, constitutes the major and primary hallmark number clinical syndromes (1–7). Within spectrum vasculitis latter group so-called idiopathic vasculitides is pathogenetically poorly understood diseases that can be classified according size vessels involved (6,7) (Table 1).