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Antinuclear antibodies are a group of antibodies against cellular nuclear antigens like DNA, RNA, nucleoprotein, histones and other nuclear components.

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Antinuclear antibodies are used to:

Additional information:

Discussion of diagnostic criteria for SLE:

The ANA test is often ordered in patient&'s with non-specific symptoms with consideration of SLE being the underlying condition. SLE symptoms may come and go and a complete review of the medical history is required.

A positive ANA test is one of 11 items on a list of criteria which may be present in patients with SLE. 4 of the 11 items are required to make the diagnosis, 3 of the 11 is suggestive of the diagnosis of SLE. The symptoms do not all need to be present at a single time period.

American College of Rheumatology Criteria (list of 11 items):

  1. Malar rash (cheeks)
  2. Discoid Rash (anywhere on body)
  3. Photosensitivity
  4. Oral Ulcers
  5. Arthritis (Nonerosive; 2 or more joints)
  6. Serositis: Pleuritis or pericarditis
  7. Renal Disorder (proteinuria, casts in urine)
  8. Neurologic symptoms (Seizures and/or psychosis)
  9. Hematologic [Hemolytic anemia or leukopenia (white blood count below 4,000 cells per cubic millimeter) or lymphopenia (less than 1,500 lymphocytes per cubic millimeter) or thrombocytopenia (less than 100,000 platelets per cubic millimeter)]
  10. Positive antinuclear antibody (>1:40)
  11. Immunologic disorder (positive anti-dsDNA, anti-Sm test, antiphospholipid antibody, anticardiolipin antibody, or false positive syphilis test (VDRL)]

Nl Result navigator

Consult your laboratory for their normal ranges as these may vary somewhat from the ones listed below.

Titer of 1:40 or less

Results may also be reported as negative or positive (will usually be reported negative if titer is lteq.gif = 1:40).

High Result navigator

ANA titers are often positive in the following conditions:

Drug Induced false positive ANA may be due to:

Low Result navigator

No clinical significance to a low result.

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