[Anti neutrophil cytoplasm antibody in Wegener's granulomatosis].

Autoantibodies against human neutrophil cytoplasma (ACPA) were assayed in 50 serum samples from patients with systemic vasculitic syndrome by indirect immunofluorescence method. ACPA titer was higher than 32x in 5 patients with active Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) although ACPA of low titer was found in 2 patients with AGA, 1 patient with temporal arteritis. It was confirmed that serial changes of ACPA titer in 5 patients with WG proved to be the selective marker of disease activity and the severity of renal injury in WG. It was concluded that the detection of ACPA is useful both for the early diagnosis and monitoring the activity of WG.