Systemic vasculitis (SV) pathogenesis is majorly identified by the inflammation of different blood vessel walls, and the resulting morphological changes. Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) play an essential role in the serological diagnosis of SV. These antibodies are usually determined by indirect immunofluorescence using ethanol fixed human neutrophils. Cytoplasmic ANCA (cANCA) and perinuclear ANCA (pANCA) are distinguished based on the immunofluorescence pattern.

Goodpasture syndrome, a medical emergency with a high fatality rate if not treated, is characterized by glomerulonephritis, pulmonary haemorrhage and antibody formation against glomerular basement membrane (GBM). The antibodies targeted against GBM component are the primary pathogenic autoantibodies, binding along the glomerular basement membrane and inducing glomerulonephritis in all patients with Goodpasture syndrome. Their determination allows differentiating the syndrome from other causes of glomerular nephritis and pulmonary haemorrhage.