ANCA Test: Price, Procedure, Purpose & Test Results
ANCA test measures the Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) level in our body. detection of these ANCA in our blood indicates an autoimmune disorder known as autoimmune vasculitis. It is a disorder that causes inflammation and swelling in blood vessels.
ANCA test has two main types, ANCA-C and ANCA-P. Each cost ranges from Rs 750 to Rs 1500.
Purpose
Antibodies also known as immunoglobulin, are proteins used by the immune system to identify and terminate foreign objects such as pathogenic bacteria and viruses. These ANCA antibodies mistakenly attack a type of healthy white blood cell called neutrophils. Thus, detection of these ANCA in our blood indicates an autoimmune disorder known as autoimmune vasculitis.
It is the swelling and inflammation of the blood vessels. Blood vessels are designed to transport blood from the heart to the organs, tissues and other systems then back through arteries, veins, and capillaries. An inflammation of a blood vessel can be threatening to the health. Thus, the ANCA test has three main purpose
- Diagnose symptoms of autoimmune vasculitis
- Examine and treat the disorder
- Indicates the type of antibody present and protein targeted in the white blood cell
When should you take this test?
ANCA Test Types
There are two types/ main patterns demonstrated by ANCA; ANCA-P (MPO-ANCA) and ANCA-C (PR3-ANCA).
ANCA-P
Perinuclear Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies ‘pANCA’, is an antibody that stains the material around the neutrophil. Also, it is an antibody that attacks a type of protein called Myeloperoxidase (MPO). This produces a pattern of perinuclear cytoplasmic fluorescence in the neutrophils (present in the white blood cell), it occurs predominantly in patients that have Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA).
ANCA-C
Cytoplasmic Anti-Neutrophil cytoplasmic Antibodies ‘cANCA’, is a type of antibody that attacks a protein called proteinase 3 (PR3). This produces a pattern of granular cytoplasmic fluorescence in the neutrophils and occurs in patients that have Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA).
ANCA associated vasculitis (AAV)
ANCA-associated vasculitis is a uniform group of rare autoimmune conditions causing inflammation of blood vessels resulting in various symptoms.
The group includes 3 main autoimmune diseases
Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA)
This disorder can affect several organs in the body and takes effect with developing symptoms. These organs in the body include the lungs, kidneys, nervous system, and skin. ANCA P test helps in the diagnosis of MPA.
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA)
Previously called Churg-Strauss syndrome, this disorder usually affects the skin and lungs. It often causes asthma.
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA)
Previously called Wegener’s disease. It most often affects the lungs, kidneys, and sinuses. ANCA C test helps in the diagnosis of GPA.
Clinical Association of Anca
There are two types of ANCA tests and one additional test:
Indirect Immunofluorescence (IIF), which uses a neutrophil fixed onto a slide. When the test is done a pattern is produced, it could either be a cANCA, pANCA, or atypical ANCA(x-ANCA).
Systemic vasculitis is a group of disorders that takes effect by damaging and weakening the blood vessels. When this is done, it leads to loss of blood supply and can generate health issues that are closely associated with cANCA; MPA, EGPA, GPA, and Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN)
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) associated with swollen and damaged tissues in the lining of the colon. The presence of atypical ANCA is generally associated with UC (80% of patients)
When to get a ANCA test?
Symptoms associated with ANCA and the organs affected are shown in the table below:
| Organs | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Eyes | Redness, Blurred or loss of sight |
| Ears | Ringing in the ears, loss of hearing |
| Sinuses | Sinus pain, running nose and nose bleed |
| Skin | Rashes, Sores or ulcers (A type of deep sore that’s slow to heal and/or keeps coming back) |
| Lungs | Cough, breathing problems, chest pain |
| Kidneys | Blood in the urine, Foamy urine, which is caused by protein in the urine |
| Nervous system | Numbness and tingling in different parts of the body |
ANCA Test procedure
During the procedure, a blood sample is been drawn from behind the elbow with a needle. Then, placed in a test tube and sent off to the lab for tests.
A biopsy may be suggested by the health care provider for a proper diagnosis if the antibodies were of a different type. A Biopsy is a procedure that involves the extraction of a small tissue part for testing. It is done by the examination under a microscope. Depending on the reason for a biopsy test, a test sample could be taken from any part of the body; from the skin, organs, or body structure.
ANCA Test results
An ANCA negative test result indicates that the symptoms are not related to ANCA. Thus, further tests will be recommended by a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis.
Meanwhile, a positive test result shows that there is a presence of autoimmune vasculitis. It will also specify the type of ANCA present: pANCA or cANCA. There are possibilities that a positive result could indicate the presence of an autoimmune condition called diabetic peripheral artery disease.
What are the common causes of ANCA?
ANCA is an autoimmune condition. An Autoimmune condition is caused by an abnormal immune response to the functioning body parts. Although vasculitis could be drug-induced; exposure to some medication could be linked to the condition.