The absence of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in patients with Henoch-Schönlein purpura.

Sera from 14 patients with acute Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) and 5 patients with a past history of HSP were assessed using a immunofluorescence technique for the presence of IgG, IgA, and IgM anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA). There was no evidence of IgG, IgA, or IgM ANCA in the sera of these patients. These results suggest that ANCA are not involved in the pathogenesis of HSP.