Topic Overview
Antibody tests are a set of blood tests that check for
specific
antibodies to help clarify the diagnosis of
lupus. They include:
- Anti-dsDNA (antibodies to
DNA).
- Antinuclear antibody (ANA)
- Anti-RNP.
- Anti-Smith (Sm).
- Anti-SS-A (also called Ro).
- Anti-SS-B
(also called La).
These antibody tests are often positive in lupus and can
provide support for a diagnosis if the clinical criteria are unclear or if the
ANA test is negative but lupus is strongly suspected.
- Anti-SS-A (Ro) and anti-SS-B (La) antibodies are
not specific for lupus and are found commonly in
Sjögren's syndrome. But these tests are useful in
helping women with lupus who are considering pregnancy. If a woman who has
these antibodies becomes pregnant, she may need more careful monitoring of the
fetus, since these antibodies are associated with a higher risk of the baby
being born with neonatal lupus syndrome or a heart defect called congenital
heart block.
- High titers of anti-dsDNA
are usually seen only in people who have lupus.
- A positive anti-Sm test is a specific marker for lupus.
Anti-dsDNA tests can be repeated at intervals to monitor how
the disease is progressing.
References
Other Works Consulted
- Crow MK (2008). Systemic lupus erythematosus. In L
Goldman, D Ausiello, eds., Cecil Textbook of Medicine,
23rd ed., pp. 2022–2032. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.
- Hahn BH (2008). Systemic lupus erythematosus. In AS Fauci et al., eds., Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 17th ed., vol. 2, pp. 2075–2083. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical.
Credits
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By
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Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
Nancy Ann Shadick, MD, MPH - Internal Medicine, Rheumatology |
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Last Revised
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May 10, 2012 |
