Use of panel testing for detection of antinuclear antibody in a resource-limited setting: an appraisal

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Despite an increase in the incidence of systemic connective tissue diseases (CTD), panel testing for detection of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) is not a routine practice in many health centers of the Indian subcontinent. Consequently, the data on its significance is scanty.

Methods: To evaluate utility of panel testing, line immunoassay (LIA) and indirect immunofluorescence antinuclear antibody test (IIF-ANA) were performed in 321 cases of CTD.

Results: Out of 321 serum samples screened by the above tests, 227 were positive and 18 were negative by both LIA and IIF-ANA. Additional 11/321 (3.4%) cases were picked up by LIA. SSA was most common specificity in these cases followed by SSA/SSB, SSB, Ro-52, Jo-1, dsDNA and nRNP/Sm.

Conclusion: Use of LIA along with IF-ANA and ELISA improves sensitivity of CTD screening.

KEYWORDS:

• CTD
• ANA
• LIA
• Indirect immunofluorescence
• dsDNA ELISA

Acknowledgments

We would also like to thank Ms. Ranjit Sharma and Mr. Prabir Das for assistance with the storage of serum samples, in carrying out IF-ANA test and dsDNA ELISA and for helping in data preparation for the study.

Declaration of interest

The study has been carried out as per institute’s ethics committee guidelines. The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Additional information

Funding

This article was not funded.