Autoimmune Disease ANA Screening - Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) Screening

A serological screening test detects the presence of antinuclear antibodies (antibodies) that target components of the cell nucleus. It is typically performed using immunofluorescence on HEP-2 cells and provides a qualitative result (positive/negative) and a fluorescence pattern such as homogeneous, mottled, nucleated, etc. It is considered a sensitive but non-specific test, as it can be positive in many systemic connective tissue diseases (such as lupus, scleroderma, and myositis) as well as in some healthy individuals and patients with other non-immune diseases.