Belgian recommendations on ANA, anti-dsDNA and anti-ENA antibody testing.
Autoantibodies to nuclear antigens, i.e. antinuclear antibodies (ANA), antibodies to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and extractable nuclear antigens (ENA), are useful as diagnostic markers for a variety of autoimmune diseases. In March 2010, the Belgian national External Quality Assessment Scheme sent a questionnaire on ANA, anti-dsDNA and anti-ENA antibody testing designed by the Dutch EASI (European Autoimmunity Standardization Initiative) team, to all clinical laboratories performing ANA testing. Virtually all laboratories completed the questionnaire (97·7%, 127/130). This paper discusses the results of this questionnaire and provides valuable information on the state-of-the-art of ANA, anti-dsDNA and anti-ENA antibody testing as practiced in the Belgian laboratories. In addition, this work presents practical recommendations developed by the members of the advisory board of the scheme as a result of the outcome of this study.
M
M
Van Blerk
X
X
Bossuyt
R
R
Humbel
A
A
Mewis
G
G
Servais
J P
JP
Tomasi
C
C
Van Campenhout
L
L
Van Hoovels
M
M
Vercammen
J
J
Damoiseaux
W
W
Coucke
P
P
Van de Walle
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood*; D001530:Belgium; D002460:Cell Line; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012016:Reference Values; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D004247:DNA
Anti-ENA antibodies,; Anti-dsDNA antibodies,; Antinuclear antibodies,; External quality assessment; Recommendations,