Immunology

Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are a group of antibodies produced by a person’s immune system when it fails to adequately distinguish between “self” and “non-self.” These antibodies, known as autoantibodies, attack the body’s own healthy cells and cause signs and symptoms such as tissue and organ inflammation, joint and muscle pain, and fatigue. ANA specifically target substances found in the nucleus of a cell, hence the name “antinuclear.” The ANA test identifies the presence of these autoantibodies in the blood. The presence of ANA may be a marker of an autoimmune process and is associated with several autoimmune disorders, but is most commonly seen with the autoimmune disorder systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The ANA test is one of the primary tests for helping to diagnose a suspected autoimmune disorder or ruling out other conditions with similar signs and symptoms. As such, it is often followed by other tests for autoantibodies that may help to establish a diagnosis.

Sample: Blood (serum)

Reference: Negative

Frequency: Twice a week

Anti-CCP, which stands for anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody, is a blood test that helps your doctor confirm a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and differentiate it from other types of arthritis. Sometimes it helps evaluate the prognosis of a person with RA. If present in such a patient at a moderate to high level, it not only confirms the diagnosis but also may indicate that the patient is at increased risk for damage to the joints. Low levels of this antibody are less significant.

Sample: Blood (serum)

Reference: Negative

Frequency: Twice week

Anti-double stranded DNA antibody (anti-dsDNA) is one of a group of autoantibodies called antinuclear antibodies (ANA). Normally, antibodies protect against infection, but autoantibodies are produced when a person’s immune system fails to adequately distinguish between “self” and “non-self.” They mistakenly attack the body’s own healthy cells, causing tissue and organ damage. Anti-dsDNA specifically targets the genetic material (DNA) found in the nucleus of a cell, hence the name “anti-dsDNA.” The anti-dsDNA test identifies the presence of these autoantibodies in the blood. This test helps diagnose and monitor lupus, a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder.

Sample: Blood (serum)

Reference: Less than 20 U/ml

Frequency: Twice week

Antistreptolysin O (ASO) is an antibody targeted against streptolysin O, a toxic enzyme produced by group A Streptococcus bacteria. ASO and anti-DNase B are the most common of several antibodies that are produced by the body’s immune system in response to a strep infection with group A Streptococcus. This test measures the amount of ASO in the blood. Group A Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes) is the bacterium responsible for causing strep throat and a variety of other infections. In most cases, strep infections are identified and treated with antibiotics, and the infections resolve.

Sample: Blood (serum)

Reference: Less than 200 IU/ml

Frequency: Twice a week

Complement C3 is a blood test that measures the activity of a certain protein that is part of the complement system. The complement system is a group of proteins that move freely through your bloodstream. The proteins work with your immune system and play a role in the development of inflammation. A complement test may be used to monitor patients with an autoimmune disorder and to see if treatment for their condition is working.

Sample: Blood (serum)

Reference: Between 90 mg/dl and 180 mg/dl

Frequency: Twice a week

Complement C4 is a blood test that measures the activity of a certain protein that is part of the complement system. The complement system is a group of proteins that move freely through your bloodstream. The proteins work with your immune system and play a role in the development of inflammation. A complement test may be used to monitor patients with an autoimmune disorder and to see if treatment for their condition is working.

Sample: Blood (serum)

Reference: Between 15 mg/dl and 45 mg/dl

Frequency: Twice a week

Description

An extractable nuclear antigen (ENA) panel detects the presence of one or more autoantibodies in the blood that react with proteins in the cell nucleus. These proteins are known as “extractable” because they can be removed from cell nuclei using saline. Autoantibodies are produced when a person’s immune system mistakenly targets and attacks the body’s own tissues. This attack can cause inflammation, tissue damage, and other signs and symptoms that are associated with an autoimmune disorder. Certain autoimmune disorders are characteristically associated with the presence of one or more anti-ENA antibodies. This association can be used to help diagnose an autoimmune disorder and to distinguish between disorders.

Sample: Blood (serum)

Reference: Negative

Frequency: Twice a week

This test helps determine if you are infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV is the cause of the syndrome AIDS.

Sample: Blood (serum)

Reference: Negative

Frequency: Daily

Immunoglobulins play a key role in the body’s immune system. They are proteins produced by specific immune cells called plasma cells in response to bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms as well as exposures to other substances that are recognized by the body as “non-self” harmful antigens. This test measures the amount of immunoglobulins A in the blood. IgA provides protection against infection in mucosal areas of the body such as the respiratory tract (sinus and lungs) and the gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines).

Sample: Blood (serum)

Reference: Between 70 mg/dl and 200 mg/dl

Frequency: Twice a week

Immunoglobulins play a key role in the body’s immune system. They are proteins produced by specific immune cells called plasma cells in response to bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms as well as exposures to other substances that are recognized by the body as “non-self” harmful antigens. This test measures the amount of immunoglobulins G in the blood. About 70-80% of the immunoglobulins in the blood are IgG. Specific IgG antibodies are produced during an initial infection or other antigen exposure, rising a few weeks after it begins, then decreasing and stabilizing. The body retains a catalog of IgG antibodies that can be rapidly reproduced whenever exposed to the same antigen. IgG antibodies form the basis of long-term protection against microorganisms. In those with a normal immune system, sufficient IgG is produced to prevent re-infection.

Sample: Blood (serum)

Reference: Between 700 mg/dl and 1600 mg/dl

Frequency: Twice a week

Immunoglobulins play a key role in the body’s immune system. They are proteins produced by specific immune cells called plasma cells in response to bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms as well as exposures to other substances that are recognized by the body as “non-self” harmful antigens. This test measures the amount of immunoglobulins M in the blood. IgM antibodies are produced as a body’s first response to a new infection or to a new “non-self” antigen, providing short-term protection.

Sample: Blood (serum)

Reference: Between 40 mg/dl and 230 mg/dl

Frequency: Twice a week

This test is used to screen for or diagnose an infection with the bacterium Treponema pallidum, which causes the sexually transmitted disease syphilis. The most common route of transmission is through contact with an infected person’s sore during sexual activity. The bacteria enter your body through minor cuts or abrasions in your skin or mucous membranes. Syphilis is contagious during its primary and secondary stages, and sometimes in the early latent period.

Sample: Blood (serum)

Reference: Negative

Frequency: Daily

Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) refers to a type of rapid diagnostic test that looks for non-specific antibodies in the blood of the patient that may indicate that the organism (Treponema pallidum) that causes syphilis is present. The term “reagin” means that this test does not look for antibodies against the actual bacterium, but rather for antibodies against substances released by cells when they are damaged by Treponema pallidum. In addition to screening for syphilis, an RPR level (also called a “titer”) can be used to track the progress of the disease over time and its response to therapy.

Sample: Blood (serum)

Reference: Negative

Frequency: Once a week

This test helps diagnose rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Rheumatoid arthritis is a form of inflammatory arthritis and an autoimmune disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system – which is designed to protect our health by attacking foreign cells

such as viruses and bacteria – attacks the body’s own tissues, specifically the synovium, a thin membrane that lines the joints. As a result of the attack, fluid builds up in the joints, causing pain in the joints and inflammation that’s systemic – meaning it can occur throughout the body. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease, which means that it can’t be cured.

Sample: Blood (serum)

Reference: Less than 20 lU/ml

Frequency: Twice a week

Treponemal tests look for antibodies that are a direct result of the infection thus, anti-treponeme IgG, IgM and to a lesser degree IgA. The use of recombinant treponemal antigens in “Treponema pallidum Screen ELISA” results in increased diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for routine diagnostic applications. The Treponema pallidum Screen assay is used for diagnosis of T. pallidum infections in health care institutions and for screening in blood banks. Consequently, all immunoglobulin classes will be detected, making the assay a real “total antibody” detecting system.

Sample: Blood (serum)

Reference: Negative

Frequency: Once a week