Antinuclear Factor in Light Sensitivity and Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

Antinuclear antibodies were studied in the sera of 17 patients with chronic discoid lupus erythematosus and 17 cases of light sensitivity eruptions by the fluorescent antibody technique of Coons. In the cases of chronic discoid lupus erythematosus ten sera showed positive fluorescence in the nuclei, while seven were negative. All the sera from patients with light sensitivity eruptions were negative for nuclear fluorescence with one exception in which weakly positive fluorescence was observed. Use of this technique is suggested as an aid in differential diagnosis.