Abstract
The centrally accentuated antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody test (c- ANCA) is widely regarded as a sensitive and specific marker for Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). There are increasing reports, however, of false-positive c-ANCAs, usually in the setting of other vasculidities. We report a case of a 27-year-old man with ulcerative colitis who developed pulmonary symptoms, peripheral nodular lung infiltrates, and an elevated c-ANCA suggesting WG. Chest CT and open lung biopsy specimens were consistent with WG. The symptoms and pulmonary infiltrates resolved after discontinuation of sulfasalazine therapy. The c-ANCA remained elevated due to the occurrence of false-positive values in ulcerative colitis. We conclude sulfasalazine toxicity can mimic clinical aspects of WG and that c-ANCA testing should be interpreted with caution in patients with ulcerative colitis.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 556-559 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | CHEST |
Volume | 110 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1996 |
Keywords
- Wegener's granulomatosis
- antinuclear cytoplasmic antibody
- sulfasalazine
- ulcerative colitis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
- Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine