Pathology · Immunopathology (Hypersensitivity, Autoimmunity, Immunodeficiency, Amyloidosis)

A 28-year-old man presents with hemoptysis, chronic sinusitis, and nodular lung lesions. Biopsy of lung tissue shows necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis. Cytoplasmic staining pattern on ethanol-fixed neutrophil indirect immunofluorescence is positive. The target antigen of these autoantibodies is:

  • A Myeloperoxidase
  • B Proteinase 3
  • C Glomerular basement membrane type IV collagen alpha-3 chain
  • D Double-stranded DNA
Correct answer: B. Proteinase 3

Explanation

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener granulomatosis) is strongly associated with c-ANCA, directed against proteinase 3, giving a diffuse cytoplasmic staining pattern on ethanol-fixed neutrophils. Myeloperoxidase antibodies produce a perinuclear pattern (p-ANCA) and are typical of microscopic polyangiitis and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. Anti-GBM antibodies against the alpha-3 chain of type IV collagen define Goodpasture syndrome, which lacks granulomas and ANCA positivity.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th 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 43,000+ MCQs.

Start free → Log in

More Immunopathology (Hypersensitivity, Autoimmunity, Immunodeficiency, Amyloidosis) MCQs

See all Immunopathology (Hypersensitivity, Autoimmunity, Immunodeficiency, Amyloidosis) MCQs →