Laboratory investigations - antinuclear antibodies (ANA)
What it is
- Autoantibodies to nuclear (and some cytoplasmic) antigens, detected by indirect immunofluorescence on HEp-2 cells - the reference method
- Reported as titre + pattern
- Titre 1:40 or 1:80 is often a normal finding
- Clinically significant from 1:160, and rises in significance with titre
- A screening test with high sensitivity and poor specificity - it excludes, it does not diagnose
9 more sections, plus exam facts
Premium unlocks every note across every specialty, and the full exam fact library behind it.
Get premium access