The most important autoantibodies in the laboratory diagnostics of ANCA-associated vasculitis are antibodies against proteinase 3 (PR3) and myeloperoxidase (MPO).

Antibodies against PR3 are both sensitive and very specific for Wegener´s granulomatosis (WG); they are detected in approximately 55% of all patients with WG in the initial phase of the disease. The prevalence of PR3 antibodies increases during the disease up to 95% in the active phase.
 
PR3 is a very small molecule; its approximate size is only 29 kDa; therefore, the AESKULISA® PR3 sensitive test has an additional spacer molecule coating to make all epitopes optimally available.
 
The AESKULISA® MPO and PR3 tests have a coating of ultrapure antigens from human granulocytes to ensure optimum sensitivity and specificity. The quantitative evaluation involving a 6-point-calibration is essential for monitoring and therapy control.

The AESKULISA® ANCA profile allows more than the plain detection of antibodies against PR3 and MPO, but also the semi-quantitative differentiation of ANCA in a single assay.