Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody - Test, Procedure & Cost

This test is done to detect the p-ANCA levels in the blood that is observed as a risk factor for atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, and other adverse cardiac events including severe chest pain. p-ANCA antibodies are often related to microscopic polyangiitis.

What are Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies?

ANCAs are a type of autoantibody. Autoantibodies are proteins that are made by the body to fight against germs and protect the body from Infections. Some antibodies start attacking the healthy cells of the body by mistake. These respective autoantibodies mark proteins inside neutrophils.

Types of ANCAs-

There are two main types of ANCA-

1. cANCA: Targets a protein called proteinase
2. pANCA: Targets a protein called myeloperoxidase (MPO).

What is Microscopic Polyangiitis?

It is a rare autoimmune disease. It is a result of vasculitis, which can damage the organs of the human body. The most commonly affected organs by MPA include:

• Kidneys
• Lung
• Nerves
• Skin
• Joints

What is vasculitis?

Vasculitis is inflammation of the blood vessels. When the blood vessels are inflamed, they become weakened and stretch and can also form an aneurysm.

Causes of Microscopic Polyangiitis

The cause of MPA is unknown to everyone. It is an idiopathic disease.

Symptoms and signs of microscopic polyangiitis

1. Leg swelling with dark black colored urine excretion from kidney.
2. Skin bumps and spots
3. Weight loss
4. Tingling or numbness due to nerve damage
5. Fever
6. Tiredness
7. Weakness
8. Aches in joints or muscles
9. Cough, shortness of breath
10. Sinus problems
11. Ear problems, such as pain or infection
12. visual disturbances

Importance of this test

The antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) test is a blood test that checks for proteins your immune system makes to fight germs. This test helps the doctor differentiate ulcerative colitis from Crohn's disease. Also, it helps the doctor in detecting autoimmune diseases like vasculitis, a blood vessel disease.

Neutrophils- the white blood cells in your immune system are attacked by ANCA, and their capability of fighting germs is destroyed.

The procedure of the Anti-neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody test

• The blood sample is taken at the lab and mixed with neutrophils on a slide.
• If the model contains ANCAs, they will attach to the neutrophils.
• A special stain added to the fall helps the lab see this activity under a microscope. The
• Cells have a specific pattern of fluorescence, which the lab can identify as perinuclear (pANCA).