Abstract
We studied the usefulness of monitoring antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD), a major complication of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Antigen-specific ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) were used to search for ANCA in 47 allogeneic bone marrow graft recipients who developed cGVHD and in 43 who did not (controls). Eight patients exhibited ANCA IIF positivity in the cGVHD group, but none in the controls. Specificity was confirmed in antigen-specific assays in only two cGVHD patients, both showing antilactoferrin (anti-LF) activity. One of these patients was followed-up, and antilactoferrin antibodies were found only at the time of active but limited cGVHD. Among three ANCA IIF-positive patients, two had antinuclear autoantibodies and three antineutrophil alloantibodies secondary to blood transfusion, which may have been responsible for false ANCA IIF positivity. It is concluded that ANCA determination is not useful in patients with cGVHD. Polyclonal activation of B lymphocytes could result in ANCA activity during cGVHD. False-positive ANCA could be due to allo-immunization following blood transfusion. Rare patients may present antilactoferrin antibodies of unknown clinical significance.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $21.58 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Martin, S., Audrain, M., Oksman, F. et al. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in chronic graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Bone Marrow Transplant 20, 45–48 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bmt.1700828
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bmt.1700828
Keywords
This article is cited by
-
Microscopic polyangiitis sparing the kidneys in a long-term survivor after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and graft-versus-host disease
Clinical Rheumatology (2005)
-
Microscopic polyangiitis sparing the kidneys in a long-term survivor after allogenic bone marrow transplantation and graft-versus-host disease
Clinical Rheumatology (2005)
-
Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Autoantibody in the Absence of Wegener's Granulomatosis or Microscopic Polyangiitis: Implications for the Surgical Pathologist
Modern Pathology (2002)