Belgian recommendations on ANA, anti-dsDNA and anti-ENA antibody testing. Issue 2 (April 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Van Blerk, M.; Bossuyt, X.; Humbel, R.; Mewis, A.; Servais, G.; Tomasi, J. P.; Van Campenhout, C.; Van Hoovels, L.; Vercammen, M.; Damoiseaux, J.; Coucke, W.; Van de Walle, P.
• Is Part Of: Acta clinica belgica. Volume 69:Issue 2(2014)
• Page Start: 83
• Page End: 86
• Publication Date: 2014-04
• Subjects: Clinical medicine -- Periodicals; Diagnosis, Laboratory -- Periodicals; 616.005
• DOI: 10.1179/2295333714Y.0000000010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1784-3286

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>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.</p> </abstract>