Which auto-antibody pair is used to monitor disease activity in vasculitis?

• A. p-ANCA & c-ANCA
• B. ANA
• C. RF
• D. Anti-CCP

Answer: (A)

Autoimmune vasculitis associated with neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies uses ANCA testing to gauge disease activity. The main antibodies are c-ANCA (usually PR3-ANCA) and p-ANCA (usually MPO-ANCA). In ANCA-associated vasculitis, rising ANCA titers often align with active disease or relapse, while falling levels tend to accompany response to treatment. Clinicians monitor these titers over time together with symptoms, imaging, and inflammatory markers to manage therapy. Other antibodies like ANA, RF, and anti-CCP are associated with different diseases (ANA with lupus spectrum, RF/anti-CCP with rheumatoid arthritis) and aren’t used to track vasculitis activity.