Autoimmune Disease

Early detection of autoimmune disease is critical to ensure that early treatment is administered to prevent the development of disabling conditions. DiaSino is committed to providing clinicians with the tools needed for the diagnosis and monitoring of autoimmune disorders.

An autoimmune disorder is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. There are more than 80 different types of autoimmune disorders.

Normally, the immune system's white blood cells help protect the body from harmful substances called antigens. Examples of antigens include bacteria, viruses, toxins, cancer cells, and blood or tissue from another person or species. The immune system produces antibodies that destroy these harmful substances.

In patients with an autoimmune disorder, the immune system can't tell the difference between healthy body tissue and antigens. The result is an immune response that destroys normal body tissue. This response is a hypersensitivity reaction similar to the response in allergic conditions.

DiaSino Assay Menu

ds-DNA

ANA

Anti-Tg

Anti-TPO

Total IgE

ds-DNA

Double-stranded (ds, native) DNA (dsDNA) antibodies of the IgG class are an accepted criterion (American College of Rheumatology) for the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).(1-3)  dsDNA antibodies are detectable in approximately 85% of patients with untreated SLE, and are rarely detectable in other connective tissue diseases. Weakly positive results caused by low-avidity antibodies to dsDNA are not specific for SLE and can occur in a variety of diseases.

Testing for IgG antibodies to dsDNA is indicated in patients who have a positive test for antinuclear antibodies (ANA) along with signs and symptoms that are compatible with the diagnosis of SLE. If the ANA test is negative, there is no reason to test for antibodies to dsDNA.(2)

The levels of IgG antibodies to dsDNA in serum are known to fluctuate with disease activity in lupus erythematosus, often increasing prior to an increase in inflammation and decreasing in response to therapy.(1-2)

ANA

Antinuclear antibodies are a unique group of autoantibodies which have the ability to attack structures in the nucleus of cells. The nucleus of a cell contains genetic material, known as DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid).

An ANA blood test (antinuclear antibody test) is usually performed on a blood sample as part of the diagnostic process for certain autoimmune diseases.

Anti-Tg

Anti-Thyroglobulin (Anti-Tg) detects the presence and quantity of specific thyroid autoantibodies. These develop when a person’s immune system mistakenly recognizes components of the thyroid as foreign (not-self) and can lead to chronic thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid), tissue damage, and disruption of thyroid function. Often associated with thryoid cancer or Hashimoto's thyroidits.

Anti-TPO

Anti-Thyroid Peroxidase (Anti-TPO) detects the presence and quantity of specific thyroid autoantibodies. These develop when a person’s immune system mistakenly recognizes components of the thyroid as foreign (not-self) and can lead to chronic thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid), tissue damage, and disruption of thyroid function. Often associated with thryoid cancer or Hashimoto's thyroidits.

Total IgE

The existence of IgE in man as a unique class of immunoglobulins which are important in the mediation of the allergic response has been known for over twenty years. The mechanism of action involves an initial antigenic stimulation of immunocompetent B lymphocytes by a specific antigen, a process which induces the lymphocyte to respond by producing specific antibody of several classes.

IgE determinations are most valuable in the diagnostic assessment of patients with established or suspected allergic desease. In normal subjects, IgE values are related to age, with normal values peaking around 10 - 14 years. Infants and children with family history of atopic allergy are at increased risk of developing disease and constitute a prime population for screening. Studies have shown that conditions such as asthma, rhinitis, eczema, urticaria, dermatitis and some parasitic infections lead to increased IgE levels. Asthma, hay fever and atopic eczema patients may produce levels 3 - 10 times those of normal patients.

1. Tran T, Pisetsky D: Chapter 115. Detection of anti-DNA antibodies. In Manual of Molecular and Clinical Laboratory Immunology. Seventh edition. Edited by B Detrick, R Hamilton, JD Folds. Washington, DC, ASM Press, 2006, pp 1027-1032
2. Kavanaugh A, Tomar R, Reveille J, et al: Guidelines for use of the antinuclear antibody test and tests for specific autoantibodies to nuclear antigens. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2000;124:71-81
3. Tan EM, Cohen AS, Fries JF, et al: The 1982 revised criteria for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Rheum 1982;25:1271-1277