BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been found to be strikingly associated with autoimmune phenomena. Autoantibodies are commonly found in patients with HCV infection. PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) in patients with ischemic stroke and HCV infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: ANCA were determined in sera from 36 patients with ischemic stroke and HCV infection (18 females, 18 males, mean age 75+/-10 years) and 44 healthy controls. Assays employed were indirect immunofluorescence for detection of ANCA and ELISA for anti-proteinase 3 (anti-PR3-ANCA). No one of the patients studied received IFN-alpha treatment before blood collection. RESULTS: ANCA were positive in 21 out of 36 (58 %) patients with ischemic stroke and HCV infection. All sera with ANCA showed cANCA patterns and contained anti-PR3 specificity. HCV patients with ANCA showed a higher prevalence of cerebral vasculitis. CONCLUSION: HCV may be regarded as a possible causative factor in ANCA-related vasculitis.
BACKGROUND:Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been found to be strikingly associated with autoimmune phenomena. Autoantibodies are commonly found in patients with HCV infection. PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) in patients with ischemic stroke and HCV infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: ANCA were determined in sera from 36 patients with ischemic stroke and HCV infection (18 females, 18 males, mean age 75+/-10 years) and 44 healthy controls. Assays employed were indirect immunofluorescence for detection of ANCA and ELISA for anti-proteinase 3 (anti-PR3-ANCA). No one of the patients studied received IFN-alpha treatment before blood collection. RESULTS: ANCA were positive in 21 out of 36 (58 %) patients with ischemic stroke and HCV infection. All sera with ANCA showed cANCA patterns and contained anti-PR3 specificity. HCVpatients with ANCA showed a higher prevalence of cerebral vasculitis. CONCLUSION:HCV may be regarded as a possible causative factor in ANCA-related vasculitis.