Antinuclear ab (IIF) ANA

Serum, 1ml

Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) comprise a heterogeneous group of autoantibodies directed against nuclear antigens. They target various cellular components found, amongst other places, in the nucleoplasm, the nuclear matrix, the nucleolus and, to some extent, the cytoplasm.
The ANA screening test is performed using indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on HEp-2 cells (cultured human laryngeal carcinoma cells). Depending on the fluorescence pattern observed, the report includes comments on the possible clinical significance and recommendations for further confirmatory tests.
The patterns are described using the ICAP nomenclature. In addition to the nuclear patterns, the cytoplasmic patterns are also reported.
Evaluation:
negative: (< 1:80)
positive: (≥ 1:80)
Note: Titres of ≥ 1:320 make a systemic autoimmune disease (collagenosis) more likely, whereas titres < 1:320 often have non-specific causes and may also occur in healthy individuals.