Medicine · Rheumatology (SLE, RA, Vasculitis, Crystal Arthropathies, Scleroderma)

In granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA, formerly Wegener's), the ANCA pattern on indirect immunofluorescence and the target antigen are:

  • A cANCA; proteinase-3 (PR3)
  • B pANCA; myeloperoxidase (MPO)
  • C pANCA; proteinase-3 (PR3)
  • D cANCA; myeloperoxidase (MPO)
Correct answer: A. cANCA; proteinase-3 (PR3)

Explanation

GPA characteristically produces cytoplasmic ANCA (cANCA) on immunofluorescence, with the target antigen being proteinase-3 (PR3) on ELISA. Microscopic polyangiitis and eosinophilic GPA more commonly produce perinuclear ANCA (pANCA) directed against myeloperoxidase (MPO). The cANCA/PR3 pattern has ~90% specificity for active GPA in the appropriate clinical context (sinusitis, pulmonary infiltrates, glomerulonephritis).

Reference: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21st ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.

Sponsored

Want to test yourself?

Create a free account for timed mock tests, mistake tracking, and FSRS spaced-repetition revision across 23,000+ MCQs.

Start free → Log in

More Rheumatology (SLE, RA, Vasculitis, Crystal Arthropathies, Scleroderma) MCQs

See all Rheumatology (SLE, RA, Vasculitis, Crystal Arthropathies, Scleroderma) MCQs →