Atypical Perinuclear Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies details

Atypical perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (atypical pANCA) are antibodies that react with parts of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, and show a particular staining pattern around the cell nucleus. In this panel they are measured to help evaluate inflammatory bowel disease when symptoms such as ongoing diarrhoea or abdominal pain are being investigated. A positive result is more often seen in ulcerative colitis than in Crohn's disease, and together with other markers it can help suggest which type of IBD is more likely. It can also be positive in some liver and autoimmune conditions. It cannot diagnose IBD on its own, and diagnosis relies on colonoscopy and other tests.