EVALUATION OF SIMULTANEOUS ESTIMATION OF ANTI-DSDNA AND ANTI-SSDNA ANTIBODIES FOR CLINICAL PURPOSES

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 31  (3) , 472-481
Abstract
The double-antibody solid-phase assay for DNA antibodies permits simultaneous and quantitative determination of antibodies to ds[double-stranded]DNA and ss[single-stranded]DNA. Using this method, 170 sera, mainly ANA[anti-nuclear antibody]-positive, were examined for the presence of anti-dsDNA and anti-ssDNA to assess the role of these antibodies in the ANA reaction. In the SLE [systemic lupus erythematosus] group of patients, their ability to respond to dsDNA was correlated with the multiorgan symptomatology of disease. Anti-ssDNA titers are also highest in this group. Anti-ssDNA titers perdominate over anti-dsDNA in other collagen diseases. This predominance increases from the SLE group to undefined mild collagenosis, because the response to dsDNA decreases more than the response to ssDNA. The clinical manifestation of the collagen diseases and multiorgan manifestation of SLE is probably linked with the pattern of response to DNA in the majority of cases. The determination of ssDNA and dsDNA antibodies is probably valuable for the prognosis and management of patients with connective tissue disease.