PREVALENCE OF ANTINUCLEOLAR ANTIBODY PATTERNS(IFA)  AND THEIR DIAGNOSTIC SIGNIFICANCE

Dr.PRAGATHI KOTTAPALLI; DR. TEJA VIJAY; DR. LAKSHMI VEMU; Dr.LIZA RAJASEKHAR; SUDHA TALASILA

Volume : VII, Issue : II, February - 2017

PREVALENCE OF ANTINUCLEOLAR ANTIBODY PATTERNS(IFA) AND THEIR DIAGNOSTIC SIGNIFICANCE

Dr. Pragathi Kottapalli, Dr. Teja Vijay, Dr. Lakshmi Vemu, Dr. Liza Rajasekhar, Sudha Talasila

Abstract :

AIMS : To determine the prevalence and clinical significance of anti–nucleolar antibodies in an

unselected population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Sera positive for anti–nucleolar antibodies (ANoA) were identified during routine autoimmune screening by using indirect immunofluorescence technique . Demographic , clinical and laboratory data of patients were documented .

RESULTS :

Prevalence of anti–nucleolar antibodies was 2.16%. The nucleolar subtypes noted were Homogeneous(52%), Speckled (30%),Clumpy(3%),Scl–70 (2%) and Mixed patterns(13%). Nucleolar Homogeneous pattern was the most common among Nucleolar patterns. SLE (12%) and Systemic sclerosis(8%) were the most commonly associated rheumatological conditions in patients with positive ANoA . Presence of ANoA in unselected sera is non–specific for Systemic Sclerosis.

CONCLUSION :

Presence of anti–nucleolar antibodies is not uncommon in unselected sera. Neither the presence nor subtype of antinucleolar antibodies is specific for systemic sclerosis.