DISEASES
description
ANCA–associated vasculitis (AAV) is a group of autoimmune diseases that is characterized by inflammation and destruction of small blood vessels (vasculature). The subset of ANCA diseases is based on the organs whose vasculature is being damaged.
ANCA glomerulonephritis (Renal-limited vasculitis)
In this type of ANCA vasculitis, the glomeruli capillaries in the kidneys are damaged. Therefore, ANCA glomerulonephritis is often characterized by blood and protein in the urine. With the glomeruli acting as the plasma filters, damage to these components significantly impedes kidney function and will often lead to kidney failure.
Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA)
In MPA-type ANCA, vascular damage is seen in multiple tissues and organs including kidneys, skin, nerves, lungs and joints. Therefore, this disease group exhibits a wide range of signs and symptoms including kidney inflammation, skin lesions and nerve damage. Common associated symptoms include weight loss and fever.
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA or Wegener’s granulomatosis)
As with MPA, vascular damage is seen in multiple tissues, typically in the lungs, kidneys, sinuses, nose, eyes and ears. However, the distinguishing feature of GPA is vascular damage caused by formation of granulomas (masses of immune cells that form at the site of inflammation).
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA or Churg-Strauss syndrome)
EGPA is an ANCA-associated disease that is characterized by vasculature damage in the lungs and respiratory tract caused by eosinophil-granulomas. Symptoms are often similar to asthma and can often be mistaken as such until other symptoms of vasculitis appear.
Mitogen offers autoimmune diagnostic tests that can help distinguish these vasculopathies and aid in the diagnosis ANCA–associated vasculitis.
Symptoms
- Fever, weight loss, anorexia, general malaise
- Myalgia, arthralgia
- Palpable purpura, urticaria
- Proteinuria, hematuria, renal insufficiency, renal failure, necrotizing glomerulonephritis
- Dyspnea, cough, hemoptysis; lung infiltrate, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hemorrhage
- Peripheral neuropathy, especially mononeuritis
- Fecal blood, elevated liver enzymes; diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain