Correlation Of Indirect Immnofluorescence Patterns On Hep2000 With Anti Ds Dna Levels In Patients With Sle

ABSTRACT

Background: Antinuclear antibody (ANA) detection is very useful in the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Association of specific autoantibodies with the immunofluorescence pattern of ANA in SLE as noted in Western medical literature has been taken as reference all over the world. However, in developing countries like India such research or data correlating the autoantibodies and their ANA Indirect Immunofluorescence patterns is inadequate. Objective: To identify the correlation between Indirect immunofluorescence patterns of antinuclear antibody on HEp–2 cell and serum levels of anti– double stranded DNA (anti–dsDNA) in SLE patients. Material and Methods: Serum samples of 108 SLE patients who were diagnosed by ACR (American College of Rheumatology) classification criteria, attending Rheumatology OPD of a tertiary care hospital during the study period of six months were subjected for ANA testing by Indirect Immunofluorescence (IIF) on HEp–2 cell and anti–dsDNA levels by ELISA. Results: Out of 108 SLE patients who were all positive by ANA in IIF on HEp–2 cell – exhibited predominantly two fluorescent patterns such as homogeneous in 80 (74%) and speckled 28 (26%) and in those with suspected flare–up homogeneous pattern was strongly associated with anti–dsDNA (p<0.05) and speckled pattern was also predominantly associated with anti–dsDNA (p<0.05). Conclusion: In SLE patients showing either homogeneous or speckled pattern in ANA IIF with suspected flare–up had elevated anti–dsDNA levels