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antibody tests for lupus

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 titres 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.

credits

current as of: july 10, 2023

author: healthwise staff
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