Acta Clinica Belgica · 2014 · 18 citations · 9 references
ImmunohematologyImmunodeficienciesImmunologyDiagnosisPathologyBelgian RecommendationsBelgian LaboratoriesImmunotherapyDiagnostic MarkersDiagnostic TestClinical EpidemiologyClinical TrialsSerologic TestingImmunohaematologyImmunochemistryAutoantibodiesClinical ChemistryLaboratory MedicineMolecular DiagnosticsHealth SciencesRheumatologyAllergyAutoimmune DiseaseAutoimmunityAntibody ScreeningMolecular Diagnostic TechniquesLupusNuclear AntigensMedicine
Autoantibodies to nuclear antigens, i.e. antinuclear antibodies (ANA), antibodies to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and extractable nuclear antigens (ENA), are useful as diagnostic markers for a variety of autoimmune diseases. In March 2010, the Belgian national External Quality Assessment Scheme sent a questionnaire on ANA, anti-dsDNA and anti-ENA antibody testing designed by the Dutch EASI (European Autoimmunity Standardization Initiative) team, to all clinical laboratories performing ANA testing. Virtually all laboratories completed the questionnaire (97·7%, 127/130). This paper discusses the results of this questionnaire and provides valuable information on the state-of-the-art of ANA, anti-dsDNA and anti-ENA antibody testing as practiced in the Belgian laboratories. In addition, this work presents practical recommendations developed by the members of the advisory board of the scheme as a result of the outcome of this study.
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Autoantibody to centromere (kinetochore) in scleroderma sera.
Y Möroi, Carol Peebles, Marvin J. Fritzler et al. · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · 1980 · 731 citations · Full text