Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody
(ANCA)

Sample type:

• Serum

Uses:

• For diagnosis and monitoring inflammatory activity in primary systemic small vessel vasculitides.

• Levels of anti-PR3 are elevated during active phases of disease and lower during remission. Monitoring anti-PR3 levels, therefore, can aid in disease management.

Precautions:

• Some tests require you to fast for eight to 12 hours. That means you shouldn’t eat or drink anything besides water. Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions.

Interfering Factors:

• Rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), lung conditions, autoimmune hepatitis, use of certain drugs, and infections involving the heart (endocarditis) or the respiratory system, cause positive ANCA

Pre analytical errors:

1. Inappropriate specimen received.

2. Unlabeled specimen or name discrepancy between specimen and request label;

3. Specimen received after prolonged delay (usually more than 72 hours);

4. Specimen received in expired transport container.

Corrective action:

1. Appropriate specimen received.

2. Labeled specimen and no name discrepancy between specimen and request label.

3. Specimen received without delay.

4. Specimen received in valid transport container.

Post analytical errors:

1. Failure in reporting.

2. Erroneous validation of analytical data.

3. Improper data entry.

Corrective action:

1. Write correct report.

2. All analytical data should be valid.

3. Proper data entry.

Reference range:

• Negative.