According to a story from GlobeNewswire, Exagen, Inc. recently launched a testing panel called AVISE® Vasculitis AAV, which is designed to help physicians get fast and accurate data for patients that are suspected of having ANCA vasculitis. Exagen is focused on improving care for patients living with autoimmune diseases. Rapid testing results are important for improving outcomes in patients with this illness.

About ANCA Vasculitis (AAV)

ANCA vasculitis is a disease that is characterized by the damage and destruction of blood vessels as a result of inflammatory activity. The disease is associated with the presence of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA). These are autoantibodies that target antigens present on neutrophils (the most common type of white blood cell) and monocytes. This means that the mechanism of the disease is autoimmune, in which the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks healthy body tissue. Symptoms of ANCA vasculitis include kidney inflammation, fever, weight loss, abdominal pain, bloody stools, purpura, nose bleeds, muscle pain, arthritis, bloody cough, vision problems, headaches, stroke, heart attack, and high blood pressure. Treatment of the disease is primarily focused on controlling inflammation and suppressing immune system activity. Common medications include cyclophosphamide, rituximab, and prednisone. Antibiotics may be necessary in cases of infection. To learn more about ANCA vasculitis, click here.

Early Detection, Early Treatment

In its early stages, this group of illnesses, which include small vessel diseases such as microscopic polyangiitis and granulomatosis with polyangiitis, may have relatively subtle signs and symptoms. In addition, these symptoms can vary significantly from patient to patient. This can pose a challenge in obtaining an accurate diagnosis and can conceal the severity of the disease, potentially putting patients’ lives in danger. ANCA vasculitis that is not treated promptly can lead to major disability or death.

These realities make the AVISE Vasculitis AAV testing panel a valuable new tool in the treatment of this disease that has the potential to improve outcomes for the patients that have been diagnosed with it. Even though ANCA vasculitis has multiple options that can effectively treat it, these therapies can only be at their greatest effectiveness when used before major damage has occurred. The AVISE Vasculitis AAV panel gives patients a greater chance for recovery.