Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-associated vasculitides

Although antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAV) rarity and still unknown causes, research on those vasculitides has been very active over the past few decades. AAV are small-vessel vasculitides and the clinical symptoms vary and affect several organs, such as the kidney and lung. AAV is similar to other autoimmune diseases and develops in patients with a predisposing genetic background who have been exposed to causative environmental factors. AAV pathogenic mechanisms should explain the pathologic and clinical manifestations of AAV, which involves ANCA-mediated neutrophil overactivations that subsequently release inflammatory cytokines. AAV clinical diagnosis and treatment should avoid delay to prevent end organ damage, particularly renal disease. Adverse responses to treatment AAV are common, as are relapses, so requiring long term follow-up is needed.