Antinuclear antibodies ANA (IF)

What are antinuclear and anti-cytoplasmic antibodies (IIF)?

Antinuclear antibodies are abnormal antibodies produced by the cellsrs of the human immune system thatre directed against the cell nucleus-building elements in the bodyrs own cells. Their presence indicates improper functioning of the immune system, whichry recognizes its own tissues as foreign and launches processes against them to damage them – this group of diseasesb are called autoimmune diseases. Both antinuclear and anti-cytoplasmic antibodies are present in the course of many disorders.

When should antinuclear and anti-cytoplasmic antibody testing be performed?

This test involves the determination of immunoglobulins by immunofluorescence, a laboratory test during which specific protein compounds are detected through appropriate diagnostic procedures using an antigen-antibody complex.

It is a basic test for immunoglobulin

This is a basic test for the initial evaluation of abnormalities occurring in the reactivity of antibodies to one's own cellswhich should then be confirmed by more accurate methods, such as ELISA. This test is performed in patients who have begun to show symptoms of autoimmune disorders, in the course of which antinuclear and anti-cytoplasmic antibodies may be present.

Some, more common, of these diseasesb are:

• systemic lupus erythematosus
• rheumatoid arthritisw
• Sjörgen syndrome
• mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD)
• systemic sclerosis
• autoimmune inflammation of the liver (leading to primary cirrhosis of the organ)

Not always the presence of antinuclear antibodies is associated with the presence of disease symptomshence the presence of clinical symptomsis also required to make the diagnosis.

Antinuclear and anti-cytoplasmic antibodies (IIF) – who should perform the test?

Many autoimmune diseasesb in their course show the presence of antinuclear and anti-cytoplasmic antibodies in the patient's bloodstream, hence it is difficult to describe the exact symptoms thatre likely to suggest their presence in the body of a particular patient. General symptoms thatre appearing without an apparent cause and do not go away with time, whichcould indicate a dysfunction of the immune system in responding to its own tissues are:

• general deterioration of mood
• fatigue
• loss of appetite
• ble and swelling of joints
• loss of body weight
• feverish states
• inflammations of the rorganswhich show symptoms peculiar to themselves

Autoimmune diseases are often difficult to detect, and it can even take years to make a proper diagnosis, so it is extremely important to perform regular preventive examinations and consult worrying symptomswith a specialist wholl be able to determine the most optimal diagnostic procedure for a particular patient, and then implement a treatment plan.