Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in echinococcus granulosus hydatid disease

The authors studied the presence of ANCA, evaluated by indirect immunofluor escence (IIF) and ELISA for anti-lactoferrin (LF), and anti-myeloperoxidase antibodies (anti-MPO), in sera of 69 patients with cystic echinococcosis ( CE). According to Caremani's classification, 27 patients were considered to have active cysts and 42 patients were considered to have inactive cysts. ANCA were detected in 9 out of 27 patients (33.3%) with active cysts and in 3 out of 42 patients (7.1%) with inactive cysts. Differences between the t wo groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Anti-LF antibodies wer e found in seven patients (10.14%) and anti-MPO antibodies in ten patients (14.5%). (C) American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics, 20 01. Published by Elsevier Science Inc.