Strong link between the alpha1‐antitrypsin PiZ allele and Wegener's granulomatosis
Abstract. Objectives. To ascertain whether a relationship exists between the PiZ alpha1‐antitrypsin (α1AT) variant and antineutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCA)‐positive vasculitis in a large group of Swedish patients, and whether analysis for the presence of the PiZ variant might be useful for diagnostic or prognostic purposes. Design. Retrospective cross‐sectional study. Setting. The Department