Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

0.5 mL serum; minimum 0.2 mL

Allow to clot. Centrifuge and submit 0.5 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 

Note: this test is useful in the setting of suspected autoimmune connective tissue disease, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), Sjögren's syndrome, systemic sclerosis and idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. It does not detect antibodies associated with autoimmune liver disease. In the setting of suspected AIH or PBC, "Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) IFA (LAB1768)" should be used.

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 (SSA/Ro + SSB/La, Sm + RNP, Jo1, Scl70, Centromere).

ANAEIA, ANA, FANA, Fluorescent Antinuclear Antibody, Antinuclear antibody screen, SJOGRENS

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. However, a negative result does not rule out systemic rheumatic or other autoimmune disease. If clinically suspected, further evaluation and testing may be necessary.