JRPMS Vol 1, No 2, December 2017, p.50-54
doi: 10.22540/JRPMS-01-050
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Review Article
The history and recent advancements in antinuclear antibody testing
Dimitra Moschou1, Elena Pipi2, Alexandra Tsirogianni2
- Rheumatology Department, KAT General Hospital of Athens, Greece
- Immunology-Histocompatibility Department, Evangelismos General Hospital of Athens, Greece
Keywords: Antinuclear antibody, Indirect immunofluorescence pattern, ANA results
Abstract
The antinuclear antibody (ANA) testing is an indispensable diagnostic tool for the management of systemic
autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD). From the initial discovery of ANA identification until today there has been
considerable technical progress in ANA testing and standardisation which has allow the development of commercial
ANA assay kits that are widespread used in clinical and research practice. In this mini-review we explore the history
and recent advancements in ANA testing and provide guidelines to the laboratory interpretation and clinical
assessment of ANA results.