The presence of acinar cell antibodies (ACA) and antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in acute and/or chronic pancreatitis has been discussed in light of an immunological pathogenesis of pancreatitis. Sera of 109 patients with pancreatic diseases were scanned for ACA and ANA, which were found in 5 and 16 patients, respectively. The frequency of ACA and ANA was similar in patients with pancreatitis of known and unknown etiology. The presence of ACA and ANA seems to be rather an epiphenomenon than an index for a certain immunological etiology of pancreatitis.