Antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies and anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies in inflammatory bowel diseases.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody is a marker for ulcerative colitis, and anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody is known to be associated with Crohn's disease. The purpose of this study was to search the value of detecting perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody and anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody for the diagnosis of Turkish inflammatory bowel disease patients. METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from 80 patients with ulcerative colitis, 61 patients with Crohn's disease and 40 healthy controls. Determination of both anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody and antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody was performed with the standardized enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: In cases with ulcerative colitis, 65% tested seropositive for antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody, whereas the controls showed 2.5% positivity. In cases with Crohn's disease, 63.9% tested seropositive for anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody, whereas the controls showed 2.5% seropositivity. The combination of a positive anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody test and a negative antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 32.0% and 97.5%, respectively. The combination of a positive perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody and a negative anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody test yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 44.2% and 97.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Both serologic tests may aid in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease.