RESUMO
Objective: To determine the cut-off point of anti-dsDNA for screening by EliA dsDNA. Methods: Serum specimens requested for anti-dsDNA between October and December 2007 were recruited and tested by the Crithidia luciliae immunofluorescence test (CLIFT) and automated fluorescence immunoassay (EliA dsDNA). The CLIFT was considered as the gold standard method. Different levels of sensitivity and specificity were determined and the cut-off point was selected from among them. Results: Of the 133 specimens collected, 35 were positive whereas 98 were negative with the CLIFT. Of those 35 positive specimens, 2, 0, 2, 2 and 29 were, respectively, in ranges of < 5, 5 to 9.9, 10 to 14.9, 15 to 19.9 and > 20 IU/ml by EliA dsDNA. Also, of the 98 negative specimens, 73, 7, 4, 4 and 10 were, respectively, in ranges of < 5, 5 to 9.9, 10 to 14.9, 15 to 19.9 and > 20 IU/ml by EliA dsDNA. The sensitivity and specificity for each level were determined and the value of 11 IU/ml was selected as the cut-off point. Additionally, when clinical diagnosis was used in specimens with discrepant results, the sensitivity of EliA dsDNA was far better than the CLIFT, whereas the specificity of both methods was comparable. Conclusion: The appropriate cut-off point of EliA dsDNA for screening was 11 IU/ml. Furtermore, the diagnostic value of EliA dsDNA was better than the CLIFT when clinical diagnosis was included in the gold standard criteria.