DIAGNOSTIC TEST 024

ANA Specificities

Diagnostic test for antibodies against ANA specificities (Sm, nRNP, SSA/Ro60, SSB, Scl-70, Jo-1). Antibodies against extractable nuclear antigens (ENA) are important markers for a number of rheumatic systemic diseases.

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Indication

Antibodies against extractable nuclear antigens (ENA) are important markers for a number of rheumatic systemic diseases.

Sample material

Serum

  • Minim. volume: 0,5 mL

Transport

  • Within Sweden: room temperature
  • International: cold

Method

Immunoblot

Reference interval

<11 negative

Result

Results are reported as negative or positive with reaction intensity. Positive results for Sm, nRNP, SSB, Scl-70 or Jo-1 are confirmed with ELISA.

Interpretation

The presence of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) is considered an important finding for diagnosing several different autoimmune diseases. To determine specificity, ANA-specificities are tested which can be directly associated with certain rheumatic systemic diseases as follows:

  • Antibodies against Sm antibodies are a strong markers for systemic lupus erythematosus.
  • Antibodies against nRNP occur in several rheumatic systemic diseases, such as mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis.
  • Antibodies against SSA/Ro60 is primarily found in Sjögren's syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus but can also be seen in other rheumatic systemic diseases.During pregnancy, anti-SSA/Ro60 is associated with neonatal lupus and, in combination with SSA/Ro52, is associated with congenital AV-block/cardiac arrhythmia in the fetus and strongly positive reactions are often observed.
  • Antibodies against SSB (La) occur predominantly in combination with anti-SSA and are seen mainly in primary Sjögren's syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus. The clinical relevance of isolated anti-SSB antibodies is unclear.
  • Antibodies against Scl-70 are a strong marker for systemic sclerosis of diffuse type.
  • Antibodies against Jo-1 are a marker for dermatomyositis/polymyositis and is associated with interstitial lung disease ("antisynthetase syndrome").
  • Antibodies against SSA/Ro52 are associated with a number of autoimmune conditions and often occur together with other autoantibodies that have higher diagnostic specificity. Isolated occurrence of antibodies against SSA/Ro52 raises some suspicion of autoimmune disease if there is clinical suspicion. During pregnancy, anti-SSA/Ro52 in combination with anti-SSA/Ro60 is associated with congenital AV-block/heart rhythm disorder in the fetus and strong positive reactions are often observed. In women with known SLE/Sjögren's syndrome, the risk of this is estimated to be around 3%. The risk for mothers with these antibodies but without rheumatic disease is unknown but is believed to be lower.

References

  • Tomer Y et al. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 1993. Pathogenic significance and diagnostic value of lupus autoantibodies. PMID: 8481649
  • von Mühlen CA, Tan EM. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 1995. Autoantibodies in the diagnosis of systemic rheumatic diseases. PMID: 7604300
  • Van Duijnhoven HL et al. Clin Biochem. 1999. A comparison of ELISA assays as routine diagnostic test for detection of autoantibodies against extractable nuclear antigens. PMID: 10383077
  • Hiepe F et al. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2000. Antinuclear antibody- and extractable nuclear antigen-related diseases. PMID: 11014966
  • Mahler M et al. Clin Immunol. 2003. Advances in B-cell epitope analysis of autoantigens in connective tissue diseases. PMID: 12763475
  • Hennes EM et al. Hepatology. 2008. Simplified criteria for the diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis. PMID: 18537184
  • Damoiseaux J et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2019. Clinical relevance of HEp-2 indirect immunofluorescent patterns: the International Consensus on ANA patterns (ICAP) perspective. PMID: 30862649

Included in these panels

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How to order

This test is available worldwide for hospitals, clinics, and physicians.

  1. Print and complete the request form

    Download the request form. Clearly state the name and phone number of the referring hospital, clinic, or physician. If you are a new customer, please also include a completed customer information form.

  2. Prepare your samples

    Serum: At least 0.5 mL serum (plain serum tubes without additives).

  3. Send samples and request form

    Within Sweden
    Samples can be sent at room temperature to:
    Envelopes and smaller boxes:
    Wieslab AB, Box 50117, 20211 Malmö, Sweden

    Larger boxes and frozen samples:
    Wieslab AB, Lundavägen 151, 21224 Malmö, Sweden

    International
    Send samples cold to:
    Wieslab AB, Lundavägen 151, 21224 Malmö, Sweden

Last updated: 2026-07-09