Question:medium
A patient presents with cutaneous vasculitis, glomerulonephritis and peripheral neuropathy. Which investigation should be performed next to help diagnose the condition?
A patient presents with cutaneous vasculitis, glomerulonephritis and peripheral neuropathy. Which investigation should be performed next to help diagnose the condition?
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Skin, kidney and nerve vasculitis together suggests an autoantibody against neutrophil cytoplasm.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
- ANCA
- RA factor
- HBsAg
- MIF
Show Solution
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: When skin, kidney and nerve are simultaneously attacked, the unifying explanation is inflammation of small blood vessels.
Step 2: The serological marker that pins down this family of disorders is ANCA, an IgG antibody aimed at neutrophil cytoplasmic proteins, giving the name ANCA-associated vasculitis.
Step 3: Rheumatoid factor lacks specificity, HBsAg checks for a viral cause that is less likely here, and MIF has no established diagnostic role, so ANCA is the test to order.
\[\boxed{\text{ANCA}}\]
Step 2: The serological marker that pins down this family of disorders is ANCA, an IgG antibody aimed at neutrophil cytoplasmic proteins, giving the name ANCA-associated vasculitis.
Step 3: Rheumatoid factor lacks specificity, HBsAg checks for a viral cause that is less likely here, and MIF has no established diagnostic role, so ANCA is the test to order.
\[\boxed{\text{ANCA}}\]
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