Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA): a seromarker for Wegener's granulomatosis.

Wegener's granulomatosis can be a difficult diagnosis to establish. It is not uncommon to require repeated biopsies over many months for histologic confirmation. A recently developed seromarker--anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody--ANCA (synonymous with anticytoplasmic autoantibody--ACPA) adds a new and valuable tool for diagnosis. The literature shows this to be a highly specific and sensitive test for Wegener's granulomatosis.