Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) encompasses a group of potentially life-threatening disorders characterized by necrotizing small vessel vasculitis with positive serum ANCA. To date, the pathogenesis of AAV has not ...

Environmental Factors

Accumulating evidence suggests that environmental factors participate in the development of AAV.

A group of geoepidemiological triggers have been identified, including latitude-dependent and seasonality factors such as UV radiation.

In the 1990s, an increasing positive rate of ANCA was observed among practitioners in the mining and construction industries.

One of the most commonly reported substances associated with the occurrence of AAV is silica. 

The role of silica is further supported by the increasing frequency of AAV observed following 3 large earthquakes in Asia.

Silica-induced apoptosis of macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes might act as a trigger of AAV, notably MPO-ANCA-positive MPA