Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
It is an autoimmune disease and a form of vasculitis that affects small- and medium-sized vessels in many organs, but most commonly affects the upper respiratory tract, lungs, and kidneys. [6] The signs and symptoms of GPA are highly varied and reflect which organs are supplied by the affected blood vessels.
The definite diagnosis of vasculitis is established after a biopsy of involved organ or tissue, such as skin, sinuses, lung, nerve, brain, and kidney. The biopsy elucidates the pattern of blood vessel inflammation. Some types of vasculitis display leukocytoclasis, which is vascular damage caused by nuclear debris from infiltrating neutrophils. [37]
Lupus vasculitis: Small to medium vessels in multiple organs ANA, anti-dsDNA, anti-Smith, others Confirmed [39] Rheumatoid vasculitis: Small to medium vessels in skin, nerves, eyes, heart Rheumatoid factor, ACPA Probable [40] Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) Small vessels in kidneys, lungs, nerves, skin p-ANCA/MPO-ANCA Confirmed [41]
Atypical ANCA is associated with drug-induced systemic vasculitis, inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis. [3] [7] The ANCA-positive rate is much higher in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus than in healthy individuals. [8] Levamisole, which is a common adulterant of cocaine, can cause an ANCA positive vasculitis. [9]
ANCA will less commonly form against alternative antigens that may also result in a p-ANCA pattern. These include lactoferrin, elastase, and cathepsin G. [citation needed] When the condition is a vasculitis, the target is usually MPO. [1] However, the proportion of p-ANCA sera with anti-MPO antibodies has been reported to be as low as 12%. [2]
Vasculitis is defined by the Mayo Clinic as inflammation of the blood vessels that can lead to organ and tissue damage. Some patients experience more long-lasting symptoms, but the condition can ...
The signs and symptoms of microscopic polyangiitis may resemble those of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) (another form of small-vessel vasculitis) but typically lacks the significant upper respiratory tract involvement (e.g., sinusitis) frequently seen in people affected by GPA. [citation needed]
The disease's symptoms can range from catastrophic neurological impairment to an asymptomatic condition brought on by impalpable pulses or bruits. [7] Non-specific features include mild anemia, myalgia, arthralgia, weight loss, malaise, night sweats, and fever. [8] Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common type of systemic vasculitis in adults.