ANTI ds DNA

If result is >14, the Anti dsDNA,High Salt/Avidity assay is also performed at no additional charge.

The presence of antibodies to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) in human serum is useful because of its high specificity for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which often helps to distinguish SLE from other autoimmune diseases. However, results must be considered in clinical context and a positive anti-dsDNA result is not diagnostic by itself. Measurement of these antibody levels may also provide valuable information for disease monitoring, particularly when the anti-dsDNA concentration is found to change in response to therapy. Persistently high or increasing levels of anti-dsDNA antibody are often associated with exacerbation of disease activity.

Anti-dsDNA antibodies are heterogeneous. One of the clinically relevant features of the heterogeneity is the avidity of the antibody, or how 'tightly' the antibodies bind to dsDNA. Several investigators have found that high avidity antibodies are more specific for SLE and are associated with renal involvement and more active disease.

Kavanaugh et al., Guidelines for immunologic laboratory testing in the rheumatic diseases: anti-DNA antibody tests. Arthritis Rheum. (2002) 47:546.

Andrejevic et al., Immunoserological parameters in SLE: high-avidity anti-dsDNA detected by ELISA are the most closely associated with the disease activity, Clin Rheumatol (2013) 32:1619.

Villalta et al., Anti-dsDNA antibody avidity determination by a simple reliable ELISA method for SLE diagnosis and monitoring, Lupus (2003) 12:31.

Negative: <15 U/mL Borderline positive: 15-30 U/mL Low Positive: 31-60 U/mL Positive: 61-200 U/mL Strongly Positive: >200 U/mL

Established by testing normal blood donor samples during method validation in 1993. Verified in 2008 and 2013.

Refrigerate serum up to 14 days. OK to Freeze serum at -20°C

Login staff: If request is for high salt/avidity anti-DNA, login: DNAEL and append a comment saying the high salt/avidity requested. EX: DNAEL-;high salt/avidity requested

Stability: Refrigerated samples are stable up to 10 days. Sample stable long term when frozen at -20°C or colder.

Outside Laboratories: Centrifuge RED top or SST and place serum in an aliquot tube. Freeze serum at -20°C. Ship frozen