High prevalence of IgA class anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) is associated with increased risk of bacterial infection in patients with cirrhosis
Background & Aims Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) are a non-uniform family
of antibodies recognizing diverse components of neutrophil granulocytes. ANCA formation
might be induced by protracted bacterial infections or probably reflect an abnormal immune
response to commensal microorganisms. Bacterial infections are common complications in
cirrhosis with high incidence of episodes caused by enteric organisms, therefore, we sought
to study the presence and clinical importance of ANCA in cirrhosis. Methods Sera of 385 …
of antibodies recognizing diverse components of neutrophil granulocytes. ANCA formation
might be induced by protracted bacterial infections or probably reflect an abnormal immune
response to commensal microorganisms. Bacterial infections are common complications in
cirrhosis with high incidence of episodes caused by enteric organisms, therefore, we sought
to study the presence and clinical importance of ANCA in cirrhosis. Methods Sera of 385 …