Specimen need not be refrigerated or frozen. Collect 2-3 ml of blood in a red top or serum separator tube. If possible, separate serum from clot and place into white tube provided with Immco Diagnostics’ collection kits. If separation facilities are not available, the blood can be sent in the tube used for collection.

Sample is stable at ambient temperature during shipment. If sample is stored prior to shipment, it is stable refrigerated (2-8˚C) for up to five days and frozen (-20˚C or lower) up to one year.

cANCA are directed against several proteins such as Cathepsin G, Elastase and Proteinase 3 (PR3). PR3, the major antigen in this group, is a neutral serine proteinase localized in the azurophilic granules of the neutrophils. Antibodies against the PR3 antigen serve as a marker for Wegener’s granulomatosis (WG), a systemic necrotising vasculitides which exists in two forms, extended and limited. Extended WG is characterized by granulomatous inflammation of the respiratory tract with cANCA reactivity occurring in 90% of patients. Limited WG is characterized without renal involvement, and cANCA reactivity is detected in 67% of patients. Disease onset can occur at any age. Men are twice as frequently affected as women. Several studies have established a direct correlation between PR3 antibody levels and the active phase of WG. The concentration of serum anti-PR3 rises dramatically during disease exacerbations (90% frequency), and relapses are usually accompanied by significant titer increases.Clinical Relevance: cANCA are directed against several proteins such as Cathepsin G, Elastase and Proteinase 3 (PR3). PR3, the major antigen in this group, is a neutral serine proteinase localized in the azurophilic granules of the neutrophils. Antibodies against the PR3 antigen serve as a marker for Wegener’s granulomatosis (WG), a systemic necrotising vasculitides which exists in two forms, extended and limited. Extended WG is characterized by granulomatous inflammation of the respiratory tract with cANCA reactivity occurring in 90% of patients. Limited WG is characterized without renal involvement, and cANCA reactivity is detected in 67% of patients. Disease onset can occur at any age. Men are twice as frequently affected as women. Several studies have established a direct correlation between PR3 antibody levels and the active phase of WG. The concentration of serum anti-PR3 rises dramatically during disease exacerbations (90% frequency), and relapses are usually accompanied by significant titer increases.Clinical Relevance: cANCA are directed against several proteins such as Cathepsin G, Elastase and Proteinase 3 (PR3). PR3, the major antigen in this group, is a neutral serine proteinase localized in the azurophilic granules of the neutrophils. Antibodies against the PR3 antigen serve as a marker for Wegener’s granulomatosis (WG), a systemic necrotising vasculitides which exists in two forms, extended and limited. Extended WG is characterized by granulomatous inflammation of the respiratory tract with cANCA reactivity occurring in 90% of patients. Limited WG is characterized without renal involvement, and cANCA reactivity is detected in 67% of patients. Disease onset can occur at any age. Men are twice as frequently affected as women. Several studies have established a direct correlation between PR3 antibody levels and the active phase of WG. The concentration of serum anti-PR3 rises dramatically during disease exacerbations (90% frequency), and relapses are usually accompanied by significant titer increases.Clinical Relevance: cANCA are directed against several proteins such as Cathepsin G, Elastase and Proteinase 3 (PR3). PR3, the major antigen in this group, is a neutral serine proteinase localized in the azurophilic granules of the neutrophils. Antibodies against the PR3 antigen serve as a marker for Wegener’s granulomatosis (WG), a systemic necrotising vasculitides which exists in two forms, extended and limited. Extended WG is characterized by granulomatous inflammation of the respiratory tract with cANCA reactivity occurring in 90% of patients. Limited WG is characterized without renal involvement, and cANCA reactivity is detected in 67% of patients. Disease onset can occur at any age. Men are twice as frequently affected as women. Several studies have established a direct correlation between PR3 antibody levels and the active phase of WG. The concentration of serum anti-PR3 rises dramatically during disease exacerbations (90% frequency), and relapses are usually accompanied by significant titer increases.Clinical Relevance: cANCA are directed against several proteins such as Cathepsin G, Elastase and Proteinase 3 (PR3). PR3, the major antigen in this group, is a neutral serine proteinase localized in the azurophilic granules of the neutrophils. Antibodies against the PR3 antigen serve as a marker for Wegener’s granulomatosis (WG), a systemic necrotising vasculitides which exists in two forms, extended and limited. Extended WG is characterized by granulomatous inflammation of the respiratory tract with cANCA reactivity occurring in 90% of patients. Limited WG is characterized without renal involvement, and cANCA reactivity is detected in 67% of patients. Disease onset can occur at any age. Men are twice as frequently affected as women. Several studies have established a direct correlation between PR3 antibody levels and the active phase of WG. The concentration of serum anti-PR3 rises dramatically during disease exacerbations (90% frequency), and relapses are usually accompanied by significant titer increases.