The detection of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies is a very important tool for the diagnosis of systemic vasculitis. The specificity and sensitivity of these antibodies depends on the assay utilized for their detection. Therefore we have compared the immunofluorescence test (IF) with the ELISA using two different antigens: total neutrophil extract and isolated primary granules. Two patterns of fluorescence were detected by IF: the classic pattern was highly specific for Wegener's granulomatosis. In contrast the perinuclear staining correlated with renal vasculitis but was also observed in other diseases. However the IF test was unable to differentiate low-positive from atypical patterns. Such distinction could be achieved by ELISA. The use of ELISA with isolated primary granules is a good alternative for if since it has a good specificity, sensitivity and reproducibility, moreover it is a quantitative method.

Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Rheumatic involvement in Hansen's disease].

The classical articular manifestations of Hansen's disease are the neurogenic or Charcot's arthropathy, osteitis and specific or non specific osteoarthritis. However, inflammatory mechanisms have been associated to arthritic episodes in leprosy patients, leading to rheumatoid-like picture as suggested by clinical, biopsy and laboratorial data. The extra-articular manifestations also mimicry those of some connective tissue diseases. The differencial diagnosis between rheumatic syndromes and hanseniasis is important for as early indentification of hanseniasis and prevention of severe sequelae and transmission.

Arthritis↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and rheumatic diseases].

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) comprise an important class of medicaments that reduced the symptoms of inflamation in rheumatic disease. This article emphasizes similarities and class characteristics of the NSAID, mechanisms of action, and drug-interactions.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Involvement of the nervous system in systemic lupus erythematosus].

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Diagnosis, Differential↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in systemic vasculitis].

The term systemic vasculitis concerns a group of diseases characterized by inflammation of vessels. The diagnosis and follow-up of these conditions is a serious challenge since their classification is difficult and the therapy is usually empiric. Perhaps the greatest breakthrough in the management of these diseases is the recent discovery of serological markers for some vasculitic syndromes. Wishing to determine how far the tests for detection of these antibodies are specific, sera from 63 patients with systemic vasculitides were tested by immunofluorescence of ethanol fixed neutrophils. Two different staining patterns were observed. The cytoplasmic staining (classic pattern) was very specific for Wegener's granulomatosis. In contrast, the perinuclear staining was also present in many vasculitic syndromes such as microscopic polyarteritis and poliarteritis nodosa. In addition, the sera were tested by ELISA, using whole neutrophil cell extract. Although the assay was less specific than the immunofluorescence, the test was helpful in discriminating between true ANCA and atypical fluorescence patterns. Moreover, high levels of antimieloperoxidase antibodies detected by ELISA in a limited number of patients were exclusively associated with the diagnosis of microscopic polyarteritis or Wegener's granulomatosis with renal involvement. Our data confirm the remarkable association of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies with vasculitic syndromes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Endothelial antigenicity in diffuse connective tissue diseases].

The authors review the published data on antibodies to endothelial cells observed in patients suffering from diffuse connective tissue diseases. In these patients the histologic lesions are found in vessels of different sizes and localizations. It is believed that such auto-antibodies may have a role in the pathogenesis and prognosis of these disorders. The preliminary results of a study of the antigenicity of endothelial cells in mixed connective tissue disease are also presented.

Autoantibodies↗