Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

1.0 mL serum; minimum 0.5 mL

Allow to clot. Centrifuge and submit 1 mL serum.

Refrigerated (preferred). Room temperature (stable 8 hours) and frozen specimens also acceptable.

Room temperature: 8 hours. Refrigerated 2-8°C: 4 days (96 hours). Frozen: 6 months.

Specimen stability exceeded; specimen grossly hemolyzed.

dsDNA: Negative <20 IU/mL
ENA screen: Negative <0.7 Ratio

dsDNA: 
    Negative <20 IU/mL 
    Equivocal 20-45 IU/mL 
    Positive >45 IU/mL 
ENA screen: 
    Negative <0.7 Ratio
    Equivocal 0.7-1.0 Ratio
    Positive >1.0 Ratio 
 

dsDNA Ab quantification and ENA Screen. Extractable nuclear antigens (ENA) Screen is based on recombinant U1-RNP (RNP70, A, C) SS-A/Ro, SS-B / La, Jo-1, Scl-70, Centromere B proteins and native purified Sm proteins as antigen. If ENA screen is positive, reflex to antibody testing (Sm + RNP, Cardiolipin IgG+M+A).

SLE reflex panel, SLEPAN

The presence of ANA antibodies in correlation with clinical findings and other laboratory tests can aid in the diagnosis of certain rheumatic diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjogren's syndrome, mixed connective tissue disease, scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis. High titers of antibodies to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The titer may decrease with successful therapy and increase in acute recurrence of the disease.Positive RNP and SM antibodies can be used in conjunction with clinical findings and other laboratory tests to aid in the diagnosis of SLE and other related connective tissue diseases. SM antibodies are highly specific for SLE and are detected in approximately 15% of patients with SLE.The presence of cardiolipin antibodies when used in conjunction with clinical findings and other laboratory tests can aid in assessing the risk of thromboembolic disease in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or primary anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS). However, a negative result does not rule out systemic rheumatic or other autoimmune disease. If clinically suspected, further evaluation and testing may be necessary.