Synonyms

   Anti-Double Stranded DNA

Clinical Significance

   It is useful for Evaluating patients with clinical features or at-risk for systemic lupus erythematosus with additional testing by indirect immunofluorescence to clarify cases of borderline enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results.

Specimen

   Serum

Stability

   Refrigerated (preferred) : 21 days

   Frozen : 21 days

Reference Range

   Negative

Interpretation

   A positive result for double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) IgG antibodies in the appropriate clinical context is suggestive of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The performance characteristics of dsDNA IgG antibodies in SLE is dependent on the immunological method used for their detection, the patient’s disease state including clinical manifestations, and demographics. Weak-positive dsDNA IgG antibody results have a low-positive predictive value for SLE. Negative results do not rule out a diagnosis of SLE.

Limitation

   Measurements of IgG antibodies to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) are semiquantitative. Slight changes in the levels of these antibodies should not be relied upon to predict changes in the clinical course of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Clinical flares of disease in patients with SLE may not be accompanied by changes in the levels of dsDNA antibodies. Thus, antibody levels alone are not sufficient to guide disease management.