title: [Laboratory diagnostics of systemic autoimmune diseases. Part 1. Collagenoses].
abstract: This is the first part of a series of articles on the laboratory diagnostics of rheumatic diseases and will consider the systemic autoimmune diseases lupus erythematosus, Sjögren's syndrome, systemic sclerosis, dermato/polymyositis and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD, SHARP syndrome). The basis for diagnostics is the presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA). Initially, these antibodies are detected using a screening test. This must be followed by the identification of the patient's individual autoantibody specificities, which then yields important diagnostic clues. Disease activity may be monitored serologically by following the titers of selected autoantibodies and, in certain patients, by examining complement consumption.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Laboratoriums- und Transfusionsmedizin, Klinikum Bremerhaven Reinkenheide, Postbrookstrasse 103, 27574, Bremerhaven, Deutschland. Klaus.Hartung@klinikum-bremerhaven.de
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hartung
authors.forename: H-P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Seelig
mesh_terms: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood*; D000918:Antibody Specificity / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D003095:Collagen Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D001323:Autoantibodies; D003165:Complement System Proteins