Definition of Antinuclear antibodies
We normally have the antibodies in the blood of us who reject / repel invaders into our body, such as microbes, viruses and bacteria. Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) are antibodies that are not common, can be detected in the blood, which has the ability to bind to certain structures within the nucleus of cells. The nucleus is the core of the most deep within body cells and contain DNA, the primary genetic material. ANAs are found in patients whose immune system may tend to cause inflammation against their own body tissues. Antibodies directed against a person's own tissues are referred to as auto-antibodies. Tendency of the immune system to work against his own body is referred to as autoimmunity. ANAs indicate the possible presence of autoimmunity and provide, therefore, an indication for doctors to consider the possibility of autoimmune disease.
How ANA Designed And For What?
ANA test was designed by Dr. George Friou in 1957. The ANA test is performed using a blood sample. Antibodies in blood serum exposed to cells in the laboratory. Is then determined whether the antibodies are present or not that react to various parts of the nucleus of cells. Thus, the term anti-"nuclear" antibody. Fluorescence techniques are frequently used to actually detect antibodies in the cells, so ANA testing is sometimes referred to as fluorescent antinuclear antibody test (FANA). ANA test is a sensitive screening test used to detect autoimmune diseases.
Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which there is a disorder of the immune system characterized by the abnormal production of antibodies (auto-antibodies) directed against the tissues of the body. Autoimmune diseases typically feature inflammation of various body tissues. ANAs are found in patients with a number of autoimmune diseases are different, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis, scleroderma, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, juvenile diabetes mellitus, Addison disease, vitiligo, pernicious anemia, glomerulonephritis, and pulmonary fibrosis. ANAs can also be found in patients with conditions that are not considered as autoimmune diseases are classic, such as chronic infections and cancer.
What other conditions cause ANAs Produced
ANAs can be generated in patients with infections (viral or bacterial), lung diseases (primary pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension), gastrointestinal diseases (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, primary biliary cirrhosis, alcoholic liver disease), diseases hormone (Hashimoto's autoimmune thyroiditis, Grave's disease), diseases of the blood (idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, hemolytic anemia), cancers (melanoma, breast, lung, kidney, ovarian, etc.), diseases of the skin (psoriasis, pemphigus), as well as in the elderly and those with a history of rheumatic diseases of the family.
Can medications cause ANAs to be produced?
Many medications can sometimes stimulate the production of ANAs, including procainamide (Procan SR), hydralazine, and dilantin. ANAs are stimulated by the drugs referred to as drug-induced ANAs. This does not necessarily mean that the disease is present when these ANAs "induced". Sometimes diseases are associated with these ANAs, and they are referred to as diseases of drug-induced (drug-induced diseases).
ANAs are defined in certain patterns. What Is It?
ANAs present the "patterns" are different depending on the staining (staining) of cell nuclei in the laboratory: homogeneous or diffuse; speckled; nucleolar, and peripheral or rim. When these patterns are not specific to individual diseases, specific diseases can be more often associated with one pattern or another. These patterns can then sometimes give the doctor clues to find the types of diseases in evaluating a patient. For example, the nucleolar pattern is more commonly seen in the disease scleroderma. The speckled pattern seen in many conditions and in people who do not have any autoimmune disease.
Are ANAs always associated with illness?
No. ANAs can be found in approximately 5% of the normal population, usually at low titers (low levels). These people usually do not have the disease. Titers lower than 1:80 are less likely to be significant. ANA titers less than or equal to 1:40 are considered negative. Titers even higher are often not significant in patients older than 60 years. Finally, the ANA must be interpreted within the specific context of the symptoms and results of other tests of an individual patient. He may or may not be significant in a given individual.
1 comments:
Hello,
Nice post. Antinuclear antibodies are synthesized by B lymphocytes that have been activated by the binding of an antigen to a cell surface receptor. As detected by immunofluorescence techniques. I like the way you start and then conclude your thoughts. Thanks for this information....
Antibodies
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