They can be associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA).

Subsequently, detection of a cytoplasmic anti-neutrophil antibody was reported by others, using a two stage procedure of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay followed by an immunofluorescent method.

The present study has shown a cytoplasmic anti-neutrophil antibody, which seems to be more specific than our previously described nuclear anti-neutrophil antibody.

Also in patients with inflammatory bowel disease antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies have been detected.

The fluorescence pattern of inflammatory bowel disease associated antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies is characteristically perinuclear (Fig 1).

In the ELISA technique only one of 68 Crohn's disease patients was positive for perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies.

No reaction with the antigen(s) recognised by vasculitis associated antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies - that is myeloperoxidase, elastase, or proteinase 3, could be demonstrated.

It is now widely presumed that the anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) are responsible for the inflammation in Wegener's.

Several of these vasculitides are associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies.

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) are associated with AS, but do not correlate with disease severity.