C-Anca (PR3) - Elisa in T Nagar, Chennai

The C-ANCA test is used to determine the presence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in blood. Usually, the immune system creates antibodies to fight any foreign substance entering the body, like bacteria and viruses. However, ANCAs can attack healthy white blood cells by mistake. This attack can lead to a condition called autoimmune vasculitis, which causes inflammation and swelling in the blood vessels.

Since the blood vessels are primarily involved in transporting blood all over the body, inflammation in blood vessels can cause multiple health issues.

To detect this inflammation early on, two types of ANCA tests are available, namely the C-ANCA test and the P-ANCA test. Both these tests differ in their target protein. The P-ANCA test targets the MPO protein, while the C-ANCA test targets the PR3 protein.

You should know the type of protein these antibodies attack since the treatment methods may differ for both types. The attack on PR3 protein can trigger inflammatory pathways, disrupt cellular signalling, and degrade critical structural proteins and pathogen responses.

Hence, to catch it early on, it is advisable to get a physician’s opinion if you experience the below-listed symptoms for more than a couple of days:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Muscle or joint pain
• Redness of the eye
• Ringing in the ears
• Rashes
• Ulcers
• Numbness and tingling in different parts of the body
• Blood in the urine

A C-ANCA test can help detect or rule out the presence of ANCA in your blood. Furthermore, this is a standard blood test that doesn’t require any prior preparation.

During the PR3 test, the phlebotomist (person drawing the blood) uses a needle to draw blood from the vein in your arm, usually at the bend of the elbow. This blood is then carefully collected in a tube and further sent for analysis to check if ANCAs are attacking the PR3 protein.

If the results are negative, it is confirmed that the patient does not suffer from autoimmune vasculitis. However, positive results may indicate the presence of this condition. This diagnosis is further confirmed when the doctor orders a biopsy, where a small sample of the cell or tissue is removed for testing. Through other additional tests, the doctor will then confirm if you are suffering from autoimmune vasculitis or not.

Once diagnosed, the doctor can devise an effective treatment plan. There are several sources through which a patient can choose to get the C-ANCA test. You can also opt for Apollo 24/7 which has more than 100 labs all over the country.