Clinical utility of anti-DFS70 for identifying antinuclear antibody-positive patients without systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease.
- Author:
Teck Choon TAN
1
;
Carol Yee Leng NG
1
;
Khai Pang LEONG
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: ANA; anti-DFS70; autoantibody
- MeSH: Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; Antibodies, Antinuclear; Autoimmune Diseases/diagnosis*; Humans; Retrospective Studies; Rheumatic Diseases/diagnosis*; Transcription Factors
- From:Singapore medical journal 2022;63(3):147-151
- CountrySingapore
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
INTRODUCTION:The antinuclear antibody (ANA) test is a screening test for systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease (SARD). We hypothesised that the presence of anti-DFS70 in ANA-positive samples was associated with a false-positive ANA test and negatively associated with SARD.
METHODS:A retrospective analysis of patient samples received for ANA testing from 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2016 was performed. Patient samples underwent ANA testing via indirect immunofluorescence method and anti-DFS70 testing using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
RESULTS:Among a total of 645 ANA-positive samples, the majority (41.7%) were positive at a titre of 1:80. The commonest nuclear staining pattern (65.5%) was speckled. Only 9.5% of ANA-positive patients were diagnosed with SARD. Anti-DFS70 was found to be present in 10.0% of ANA-positive patients. The majority (51/59, 86.4%) of patients did not have SARD. Seven patients had positive ANA titre > 1:640, the presence of anti-double stranded DNA and/or anti-Ro60. The presence of anti-DFS70 in ANA-positive patients was not associated with the absence of SARD (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.245).
CONCLUSION:The presence of anti-DFS70 was associated with a false-positive ANA test in 8.6% of our patients. Anti-DFS70 was not associated with the absence of SARD.
