Anca antibodies in grave’s basedow disease

M Gumà, M Juan, I Salinas, E Casado, V Ortiz-Santamaría, A OlivéRheumatology Immunology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol, Badalona, Spain EndocrinologyBackground ANCA (anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies) are antibodies against specific proteins (proteinasa 3 and myeloperoxidase) and are present in the sera of patients having several underlying diseases). Objectives To determine the frequency and specificity of ANCA in Grave’s disease. Methods Thirty-five serum of patients with Grave’s Basedow disease were retrospectively examined. All patients were on treatment with anti-thyroid drugs at least for two months. ANCA antibodies were determined by indirect immunofluorescence. A ELISA test was performed to examine the presence of proteinasa 3 and myeolperoxidase (BL Diagnostica). Results ANCA were positive in 60% of patients with Grave’s Basedow disease. Immunofluorescence patterns were as follow: 9 pANCA (26%), 7 xANCA (20%) and 5 cANCA (14%). ELISA was positive in just one case (myeloperoxidase). Conclusion ANCA antibodies are positive in Grave’s Basedow disease. Anti-thyroid drugs may have a relationship with the presence of ANCA. Antigens are unknow. Citation: Ann Rheum Dis, volume 60, supplement 1, year 2001, page A88Session: Vasculitis