Antibodies against cytoplasmy of neutrophils (ANČA) are in adults of diagnostic importance for primary systemic vasculitis ofthe minor vessels and necrotizing glomemlonephritis. In childhood they are moreover associated with the diagnosis of juvenile chronic arthritis and cystic fibrosis.
In children and adults they are also found in some forms of autoimmune hepatitis, uveitis and ulcerative colitis. In clinical practice assessment of ANČA contributes to the differential diagnosis of a group of serious diseases with signs of vascular affection.
Specification of target antigens helps with a more detailed classification of pathological units.