Requests for ‘Autoantibody Screen’ (or if clinical details suggest non-organ specific autoimmune disease) will have Anti-Nuclear Antibody (ANA) measured by ELISA. Positive ANA will be followed by DNA/ENA.

If ENA or DNA is required (e.g. monitoring known positive DNA), please state clearly on the request form the specific antibody required.

ENA screen positive results will have the ENA Identity reported i.e. RNP, Ro, La, Sm.

Specific antibodies will still be analysed as requested e.g. Anti-cardiolipin for ? anti-phospholipid syndrome.

Diagnosis of organ specific autoimmune disease will require either the organ specific antibody or appropriate organ panel of antibodies to be requested:-

Use of autoantibodies for monitoring disease is not necessary for organ specific disease and should be restricted to non-organ specific disease e.g. SLE.

For monitoring non-organ specific disease the appropriate autoantibody should be requested. In the case of ENA/DNA it is important that is clearly stated on the request form that the test is required for ‘FOLLOW UP’ purposes (otherwise an ANA screen will be performed).

ANCA results may be requested urgently. If the sample arrives in the laboratory before 2.00pm it will be sent to the referral laboratory who will provide results on the next working day. Please contact Clinical Biochemistry Department (extn. 3018) beforehand to arrange this.

Please ensure that requests for autoantibody screens are not duplicated by checking for results either in the patient notes or on the Pathology enquiry terminals.

Guidelines on frequency of repeat testing for monitoring disease should be followed.

If you have any queries or comments please contact:

Tony Everitt, Consultant Biochemist, extn. 3014
John Surrey, Principal Biochemist, extn. 3038

Reviewed by: Tony Everitt, Consultant Biochemist
Last edited 07/08/08