1. Belgian recommendations on ANA, anti-dsDNA and anti-ENA antibody testing
- Author
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Van Blerk, Marjan, Van Campenhout, Christel M., Coucke, Wim, Van De Walle, Philippe, Bossuyt, Xavier, Humbel, René, Mewis, Alex, Servais, Geneviève, Tomasi, Jean-Paul, Van Hoovels, Lieve, Vercammen, Martine J., Damoiseaux, Jan G M C J., Van Blerk, Marjan, Van Campenhout, Christel M., Coucke, Wim, Van De Walle, Philippe, Bossuyt, Xavier, Humbel, René, Mewis, Alex, Servais, Geneviève, Tomasi, Jean-Paul, Van Hoovels, Lieve, Vercammen, Martine J., and Damoiseaux, Jan G M C J.
- Abstract
Autoantibodies to nuclear antigens, i.e. antinuclear antibodies (ANA), antibodies to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and extractable nuclear antigens (ENA), are useful as diagnostic markers for a variety of autoimmune diseases. In March 2010, the Belgian national External Quality Assessment Scheme sent a questionnaire on ANA, anti-dsDNA and anti-ENA antibody testing designed by the Dutch EASI (European Autoimmunity Standardization Initiative) team, to all clinical laboratories performing ANA testing. Virtually all laboratories completed the questionnaire (97.7%, 127/130). This paper discusses the results of this questionnaire and provides valuable information on the state-of-the-art of ANA, anti-dsDNA and anti-ENA antibody testing as practiced in the Belgian laboratories. In addition, this work presents practical recommendations developed by the members of the advisory board of the scheme as a result of the outcome of this study. © 2014 Acta Clinica Belgica., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published
- Published
- 2014