(= anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies) ANCA-positivity is seen in patients with a variety of inflammatory disorders including IBD, Wegener&`s granulomatosis and hepatobiliary disorders. Two forms are recognized, peripheral ANCA (p-ANCA) where the antigen seems to reside at the periphery of the nucleus and cytoplasmic ANCA (c-ANCA) where the antigen is distributed throughout the cytoplasm of the neutrophil.
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