title: Kinetoplast test for the detection of antibodies against double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid in patients with rheumatic diseases.
abstract: The differential diagnosis in rheumatology is frequently considerably facilitated or rendered possible by immunological methods. Evidence of antibodies against double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (ds-DNA) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is considered a conclusive confirmation of the diagnosis and moreover a useful criterion of the activity of the process. The authors developed an immunofluorescent method where as substrate the kinetoplast of the protozoon Trypanosoma danilewskyi containing pure ds-DNA not bound to histones is used. A total of 164 titrations of these antibodies were made in 113 patients with various diagnoses. The results indicate that anti-ds-DNA antibodies are present only in patients with SLE and that the titres correspond to the activity of the disease. The method is suited for routine use, the substrate being commercially available and of standard quality.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D004247:DNA