ANTIBODY LIST

Cytoplasmic or C-ANCA are seen in microscopic polyarteritis, Wegener granulomatosis, Henoch-Schonlein purpura, Churg-Strauss syndrome, Kawasaki syndrome, polyarteritis nodosa, and glomerular basement membrane disease. C-ANCA are seen in up to 85 percent of patients with Wegener granulomatosis and vasculitis, and levels or titers of C-ANCA tend to parallel disease activity.

Anti-cardiolipin antibodies (ACA) are antibodies often directed against cardiolipin and found in several diseases including: Syphilis, Antiphospholipid Syndrome, Behç's Syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE). They are a form of anti-mitochondrial antibody. In SLE, The anti-DNA antibodies and anti-cardiolipin act independently. In rheumatoid arthritis w/systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) these antibodies may tie two conditions together.

Celiac disease is a digestive and autoimmune disorder that results in damage to the lining of the small intestine when foods with gluten are eaten. Glutens are a form of protein found in some grains. The damage to the intestine makes it hard for the body to absorb nutrients, especially fat, calcium, iron, and folate. Normally, the body's immune system is designed to protect it from foreign invaders. When people with celiac disease eat foods containing gluten, their immune system forms antibodies to gluten which then attack the intestinal lining. This causes inflammation in the intestines and damages the villi, the hair-like structures on the lining of the small intestine. Nutrients from food are absorbed by the villi. If the villi are damaged, the person cannot absorb nutrients and ends up malnourished, no matter how much he or she eats.

Also known as Double Stranded DNA. This antibody is most commonly found in Lupus patients.

Also known as Antigliadin antibody. This antibody is most commonly found in Celiac Disease patients.

Also known as Helicobacter pylori. H. pylori is a type of bacteria. Researchers believe that H. pylori is responsible for the majority of peptic ulcers. H. pylori infection is common in the United States. About 20 percent of people under 40 years old and half of those over 60 years have it. Most infected people, however, do not develop ulcers. Researchers are not certain how people contract H. pylori, but they think it may be through food or water. Researchers have found H. pylori in the saliva of some infected people, so the bacteria may also spread through mouth-to-mouth contact such as kissing.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body's natural defense system (immune system) attacks its own tissues instead of attacking foreign substances like bacteria and viruses. This causes inflammation. Inflammation causes swelling, pain, and tissue damage throughout the body. If you develop severe lupus, you may have problems with your kidneys, heart, lungs, nervous system, or blood cells. Lupus is the common name for systemic lupus erythematosus, also called SLE. Common symptoms include feeling very tired and having joint pain or swelling (arthritis), a fever, and a skin rash. The rash often happens after you have been in the sun. Mouth sores and hair loss may occur. Over time, some people with lupus have problems with the heart, lungs, kidneys, blood cells, or nervous system.

Perinuclear or P-ANCA are seen in Churg-Strauss syndrome, Kawasaki syndrome, Giant-cell arteritis, glomerular membrane basement disease, rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, polyarteritis nodosa, inflammatory bowel disease including Crohn's disease, primary sclerosing cholangitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and drug-induced vasculitis.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a rare immunological disorder characterized by recurring blood clots. Blood clots can form in any blood vessel of the body. The specific symptoms and severity of APS vary greatly from case to case depending upon the exact location of a blood clot and the organ system affected. APS is characterized by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies in the body. In individuals with APS, certain antibodies mistakenly attack healthy tissue. This healthy tissue is a certain proteins that bind to phospholipids. Phospholipids are a type of fat molecule that is involved in the proper function of cell membranes and found throughout the body. The reason for these antiphospholipid antibodies attacking the phospholipid proteins and the process by which they cause blood clots is not known.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term disease that leads to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It can also affect other organs. Eventually, joint pain appears. When the joint is not used for a while, it can become warm, tender, and stiff. When the lining of the joint becomes inflamed, it gives off more fluid and the joint becomes swollen. Joint pain is often felt on both sides of the body, and may affect the fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, toes, and neck. RA usually requires lifelong treatment, including medications, physical therapy, exercise, education, and possibly surgery. Early, aggressive treatment for RA can delay joint destruction.

Scleroderma is a widespread connective tissue disease that involves changes in the skin, blood vessels, muscles, and internal organs. Some symptoms may include: hair loss, skin hardness, discoloration in skin (darker or lighter), skin thickening, shiny hands and forearms, joint pain, numbness and pain in feet. The cause of scleroderma is unknown. People with this condition have a buildup of a substance called collagen in the skin and other organs. This build up leads to the symptoms associated with the disease. The disease usually affects people 30 to 50 years old. Women get scleroderma more often than men do. Risk factors include occupational exposure to silica dust and polyvinyl chloride.

Sjogren's (SHOW-grins) syndrome is a disorder of your immune system often defined by its two most common symptoms -- dry eyes and a dry mouth. In Sjogren's syndrome, the mucous membranes and moisture-secreting glands of your eyes and mouth are usually affected first -- resulting in decreased production of tears and saliva. Scientists aren't certain why some people develop Sjogren's syndrome and others don't. Certain genes put people at higher risk for the disorder, but it appears that a triggering mechanism -- such as infection with a particular virus or bacteria -- is also necessary.

Thyroid disease occurs when the thyroid gland doesn't supply the proper amount of hormones needed by the body. If the thyroid is overactive, it releases too much thyroid hormone into the bloodstream, resulting in hyperthyroidism. ("Hyper" is from the Greek, meaning "over" or "above.") Hyperthyroidism causes the body to use up energy more quickly than it should, and chemical activity (like metabolism) in the cells speeds up. An underactive thyroid produces too little thyroid hormone, resulting in hypothyroidism. ("Hypo" means "under" or "below.") When the amount of hormone released into the bloodstream is below normal, the body uses up energy more slowly, and chemical activity (metabolism) in the cells slows down.

Wegener's granulomatosis is a rare but potentially deadly disease of uncertain cause. It is characterized by inflammation of small and medium-sized blood vessels (vasculitis). This inflammation can damage many organs of the body. Wegener's primarily affects the upper respiratory tract (nasal sinuses, nose and trachea, the upper airway), lungs, and kidneys. Other organ systems that can be affected by the disease include the nervous system, ears, eyes, heart skin, and joints. Most patients first notice symptoms in the respiratory tract, including: persistent runny nose, nasal or facial pain, nosebleeds or unusual nasal discharge, chest discomfort, wheezing or shortness of breath.