title: Detection of autoantibodies using chemiluminescence technologies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although autoantibody detection methods such as indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) have been available for many years and are still in use the innovation of fast, fully automated instruments using chemiluminescence technology in recent years has led to rapid adoption in autoimmune disease diagnostics. In 2009, BIO-FLASH, a fully automated, random access chemiluminescent analyzer, was introduced, proceeded by the development of the QUANTA Flash chemiluminescent immunoassays (CIA) for autoimmune diagnostics.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To summarize the evolution of CIAs for the detection of autoantibodies and to review their performance characteristics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pubmed was screened for publications evaluating novel QUANTA Flash assays and how they compare to traditional methods for the detection of autoantibodies. In addition, comparative studies presented at scientific meetings were summarized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Several studies were identified that compared the novel CIAs with conventional methods for autoantibody detection. The agreements ranged from moderate to excellent depending on the assay. The studies show how the CIA technology has enhanced the analytical and clinical performance characteristics of many autoantibody assays supporting both diagnosis and follow-up testing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CIA has started to improve the diagnostic testing of autoantibodies as an aid in the diagnosis of a broad range of autoimmune diseases.
authors.affiliation: a Inova Diagnostics, Inc. , San Diego , CA , USA .
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mahler
authors.affiliation: a Inova Diagnostics, Inc. , San Diego , CA , USA .
authors.forename: Chelsea
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bentow
authors.affiliation: b Biokit Research & Development, Lliçà d'Amunt , Barcelona , Spain , and.
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.affiliation: c Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary , Calgary , Canada.
authors.forename: Marvin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Fritzler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008163:Luminescent Measurements / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies
keywords: Autoantibodies; BIO-FLASH; automation; chemiluminescence; diagnostics