Question
Which of the following is true about PAN?
A. Microscopy shows fibrinoid necrosis in large arteries
B. ANCA is positive
C. 30% of people have HbsAg positive
D. Patient have hypogammaglobulinemia
Show Answer
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Correct Answer » C
Explanation
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Ans: C. 30% of people have HbsAg positive
Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a necrotizing vasculitis involving small and medium-sized muscular arteries of multiple organs and tissues.
The disease occurs more commonly in adult males than females.
Most commonly affected organs, in descending order of frequency of involvement, are the kidneys, heart, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, and muscle.
The condition results from immunologic response to an identifiable antigen that may be bacteria (e.g. streptococci, staphylococci, mycobacteria), viruses (e.g. hepatitis B virus, influenza virus, CMV), malarial parasite, certain drugs, and chemicals.
There is no association with ANCA
, but about 30% of people with PAN have chronic hepatitis B
and deposits containing HBsAg
–HBsAb
complexes in affected blood vessels, indicating an immune complex-mediated
cause in that subset. Infection with the Hepatitis C virus
and HIV
are occasionally discovered in people affected by PAN.
Leukocytoclastic vasculitis, characterized by fibrinoid necrosis with neutrophilic infiltrate in the vessel wall. Many of the neutrophils are fragmented. This form is found in vasculitis caused by deposits of immune complexes.
