Analysis index

1 ml serum

(Stability in serum at 4°C – 8°C: 7 days)

Adults:

< 1:80 titer

Suspicion of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), primary Sjögren-syndrome, progressive systemic sclerosis (scleroderma, PSS), dermatomyositis, mixed collagenosis (MCTD, Sharp syndrome), other overlap-syndromes, autoimmune hepatitis type 1.

Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) cover the whole of nuclear autoantibodies in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Therefore, the ANA test by indirect immunofluorescence is especially useful as a screening-test, to capture collagenosis and a large number of other autoimmune disorders. Depending on age however, they can increasingly also be seen in healthy persons. The microscopic picture of the IIF-test provides further differential diagnostic indications during ANA-evaluation. Depending on which nucleus antigens react, there are different nuclear or cytoplasmic fluorescence patterns, which are each associated with special forms of autoimmune diseases. In general, the level of ANA-titer does not correlate with the severity/activity of the disease. Further diagnostics, ENA screening, ELISA- or immunoblot testing for characteristic antigens. ANA-prevalences as per below table:

Table according to Neumeister, Böhm, Klinikleitfaden Labordiagnostik, 5. Auflage, Elsevier, 2017

Labor Zentrum Weser Prof. Dr. med. Schmitz Minden