ANTINEUTROPHIL CYTOPLASMIC ANTIBODIES (ANCA) IN ULCERATIVE-COLITIS - ANTI-CATHEPSIN-G AND A NOVEL ANTIBODY CORRELATE WITH A REFRACTORY TYPE

We analysed the clinical significance of ANCA in patients with ulcerat ive colitis. On either an indirect immunofluorescence assay or an ELIS A with fixed neutrophils, 71% (25/35) of the patients were positive fo r ANCA. However, only half of them reacted with either cathepsin G or lactoferrin. Western blot assays revealed positive bands in 40% (10/25 ) of the antibody-positive patients. The sizes of the bands detected w ere approximate to 58, 47, 44, 40, and 28 kD. No significant correlati on was found between the ANCA positivity and various variables, i.e. d isease activity, extent of lesion. or treatment of the disease. The an ti-cathepsin G and 28-kD positivity, however. significantly correlated with a refractory type of ulcerative colitis.