Description

A P-ANCA (perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies) blood test detects autoantibodies that target proteins in white blood cells. It can help diagnose autoimmune vasculitis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). 

Purpose

Diagnose vasculitis: Helps diagnose autoimmune disorders that cause blood vessel inflammation, such as Wegener's granulomatosis, microscopic polyangiitis, and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg Strauss syndrome) 

Diagnose IBD: Helps distinguish between ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) 

Monitor treatment: Helps monitor treatment and detect relapses of vasculitis and IBD 

Predict treatment response: Helps predict whether a patient will respond to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, which are IBD medicines

Fasting not required.