title: Quality assurance and proficiency testing for autoantibodies to nuclear antigen.
abstract: The College of American Pathologists' Proficiency Survey results have shown a need for standardization of testing for autoantibodies to nuclear antigens (ANA). We have recommended that each laboratory establish age-adjusted reference ranges for particular methods and instrumentation, report qualitative end point titers in relation to these reference ranges, interpret normal or abnormal as a laboratory appraisal rather than as a clinical assessment, and inclusion of a low-titer ANA control sera in each assay.
mesh_terms: D000918:Antibody Specificity; D034961:Antigens, Nuclear; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000276:immunology*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology; D009698:Nucleoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D010338:Pathology, Clinical / Q000592:standards; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012015:Reference Standards; D012955:Societies, Medical; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D034961:Antigens, Nuclear; D001323:Autoantibodies; D009698:Nucleoproteins; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic