Multicenter validation of recombinant, natural and synthetic antigens usedin a single multiparameter assay for the detection of specific anti-nuclear autoantibodies in connective tissue disorders
L. Meheus et al., Multicenter validation of recombinant, natural and synthetic antigens usedin a single multiparameter assay for the detection of specific anti-nuclear autoantibodies in connective tissue disorders, CLIN EXP RH, 17(2), 1999, pp. 205-214
Objectives
We investigated the feasibility of using a single multi-parameter test base
d mainly on recombinant autoantigens for the detection of anti-nuclear auto
antibodies, and analyzed the agreement between this test format and convent
ional techniques.
Methods
The presence of autoantibodies was determined by a line immunoassay (LIA) i
n 755 sera derived from patients with different autoimmune connective tissu
e disorders. All sera were previously tested by standard assays that are ro
utinely used at the 8 participating European centers.
Results
The overall sensitivity and specificity of autoantibody detection by LIA wa
s similar or higher as compared to combined conventional techniques (CCT).
In particular; the detection of anti-Ro52 in systemic lupus erythematosus (
SLE) sera (P = 0.004) and anti-LA in both SLE (P < 0.0009) and in Sjogren's
syndrome (P < 0.0009) sera was significantly more sensitive when using LIA
compared to CCT. By contrast, CCT was never more sensitive than LIA for an
y of the markers
Conclusion
The LIA is a reliable alternative to a combination of conventional techniqu
es for the detection of specific anti-nuclear autoantibodies. The multi-par
ameter test also reveals autoantibody reactivities that may not be detected
when only a limited number of conventional techniques are applied.