PREVALENCE OF PERINUCLEAR ANTINEUTROPHIL CYTOPLASMIC ANTIBODIES IN INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES - RESULTS OF A MULTICENTRIC STUDY

Perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (pANCA) were found a t high frequency in patients with ulcerative colitis. The aims of this study were to evaluate prevalence of pANCA in sera oi patients with i nflammatory Bowel Disease and to correlate pANCA status with clinical, topographical and evolutive variables. Methods: pANCA was detected by indirect immunofluorescence and by enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) using myeloperoxidase. Antinuclear antibodies are detected sy stematically for excluding positive false. Results: pANCA was detected in 26 (41,2%)oi 63 patients with ulcerative colitis, in 4 (7%) of 58 patients with Crohn's disease ip < 0,0001) and in 1 patient(3,3%) of c ontrol group. pANCA were not correlate neither with disease activity n or with its extension and presence of extraintestinal manifestations. Conclusion: pANCA were detected with a high frequency in ulcerative co litis. pANCA were not correlate with disease characteristics.