antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) in Juvenil rheumatoid arthritis (JRA).
Methodology: Serum ANCA were determined using the indirect immunofluorccent
technique (1IF) in 30 patients with JRA and 20 healthy children matched with age and sex
as a control group. All patients were subjected to full history taking, thorough clinical ex
amination and laboratory investigations with stress on the renal and vascular systems.
Results: We recorded ANCA positivity in 13 (43.3%) of JRA patients only prinuclear
(p-ANCA) fluorescence pattern was seen while cytoplasmic pattern (c-ANCA) not detect
ed, on the other hand the ANCA was not detected in the sera of normal controls. JRA chil
dren with polyarticular onset as well as those with renal disorder had a significantly higher
frequency of p-ANCA pattern (P<0.05). There no significant differences were detected re
garding age, disease duration, disease activity, functional capacity, uveitis and radiological
findings (P>0.05). The ANCA +ve group showed no significant differences from the
ANCA -ve group regarding ANA, RF, ESR, Hb, platelet count and WBCs (P<0.05). ANCA
+ve cases have significantly higher frequency in males (P<0.001), this findings did not
seem to have clinical significance. . ' . •
Conclusion: The p-ANCA is found in JRA patients, primarily among those with polyar
ticular onset and renal manifestations. The positive p-ANCA pattern in JRA patients may
indicate renal affection. Yet, still more studies are needed to evaluate antigen specificity
and the prognostic value of p-ANCA. |
