Indirect immunofluorescence test for the qualitative determination of antinuclear IgG antibodies (ANA) in serum or plasma.
Our cultured Hep-2 cells allow for simultaneous detection of a variety of autoantibodies with a single analytical preparation. Evaluation of different fluorescence patterns provides additional information beyond mere antibody recognition.
Homogeneous distribution of the bound antibodies is indicative of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A speckled pattern is strongly related to SLE, but it may also occur in patients with mixed connective tissue disease, Sjögren's syndrome, polymyositis or scleroderma. Peripheral fluorescence can be observed in patients with connective tissue diseases. A nucleolar pattern has been described in patients with overlapping scleroderma and polymyositis/ dermatomyositis syndromes and with systemic scleroderma, especially for those with renal involvement. In patients with the limited cutaneous form of systemic sclerosis staining of the centromeres can be detected.
