Anti Nuclear Antibody-IFA

Also known as Anti Nuclear Factor - IFA (ANF - IFA)

₹699~~₹1000~~ 30% Off

This test is for

Male, Female

Earliest reports in

48 hours

Test Preparation

Overnight fasting is preferred.

Understanding Anti Nuclear Antibody-IFA

What is Anti Nuclear Antibody-IFA?

Anti nuclear antibody- IFA test refers to antinuclear antibody (ANA) test through indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) method to detect the presence of ANA in blood. ANAs are auto antibodies that attack body’s healthy cells and cause damage to the joints, skin, muscles, and other body parts. This test is suggested to people at risk or having autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune hepatitis, scleroderma and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Most people have a minor percentage of ANA in their blood; however elevated ANA levels can be the sign of an autoimmune disease.

What is Anti Nuclear Antibody-IFA used for?

· To determine the presence of an autoimmune disease like Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

· To evaluate the possible presence of autoimmune Connective Tissue Disorders (CTDs) other than SLE such as Polymyositis, Scleroderma, Sjögren's syndrome etc.

What does Anti Nuclear Antibody-IFA measure?

The Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) Test measures the amount and pattern of antinuclear antibodies in the blood. The immune system of the body is responsible for differentiating between the body’s own cells and foreign cells, like pathogens. Once the foreign cells are identified, they are then targeted and destroyed. In autoimmune disorders, the immune system of the body is unable to recognize certain cells as the body’s own cells and starts an immune response against them which results in their destruction. The recognition of ‘self’ and ‘non-self’ cells is mediated by certain proteins present on the surface of cells or inside them. When the immune system identifies a cell as foreign or ‘non-self’, it produces antibodies against these cells to destroy them. Antibodies produced in an autoimmune disease are called autoantibodies.

Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are autoantibodies that are produced against protein markers present in the nucleus of certain cells of the body. They are produced in a number of autoimmune diseases but are most commonly produced in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).

The Antinuclear Antibody Test can be performed either by Immunoassay method or Indirect Fluorescent Antibody (IFA) method to detect ANA in blood. Both these tests may be used by some laboratories together: the Immunoassay method screens for the presence of antinuclear antibodies, and IFA method subsequently confirms the positive or equivocal Immunoassay results.

Interpreting Anti Nuclear Antibody-IFA results

Interpretations

The appearance of fluorescence is a positive result and indicates the presence of antinuclear antibodies.

The absence of fluorescence is a negative result and indicates the absence of antinuclear antibodies.

Positive results of IFA are expressed in two parts: as titers which are ratios that represent the highest dilution of the blood sample at which antinuclear antibodies were visible, and as the fluorescent pattern seen. Titer value indicates the amount of antinuclear antibodies in the blood, while the pattern of fluorescence indicates different autoimmune diseases.

Some common fluorescence patterns and autoimmune conditions associated with them include:

FLUORESCENCE PATTERN	ASSOCIATED CONDITIONS
Homogenous or diffuse	SLE, drug-induced lupus, and mixed connective tissue disease
Nucleolar	Scleroderma or Polymyositis
Speckled	SLE, Sjögren syndrome, Scleroderma, Polymyositis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and mixed connective tissue disease
Centromere or peripheral	Scleroderma and CREST Syndrome (Calcinosis, Raynaud syndrome, Esophageal dysmotility, Sclerodactyly, Telangiectasia)

Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Anti Nuclear Antibody-IFA

Frequently Asked Questions about Anti Nuclear Antibody-IFA

Q. Is there any preparation required before the test?

Inform the doctor about the medications you may be taking. No other specific preparations are usually required before this test.

Q. What factors can falsely affect the test results?

The Antinuclear Antibody Test can be affected by a number of factors including: · Certain medications like procainamide, hydralazine, phenytoin, etc. · Old age · Long-term infection · Viral infection

Q. What additional tests can be prescribed by your doctor in case the result of ANA test is not normal?

Additional tests that may be prescribed in case of abnormal Antinuclear Antibody test result are: · Extractable Nuclear Antigen (ENA) Panel Test · Anti-dsDNA Antibody Test · Anti-Centromere Antibody Test · Anti-Histone Antibody Test · Anti-Smooth Muscle Antibody Test

Q. What is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or SLE is a chronic autoimmune disease which shows severe symptoms alternating with mild symptoms in phases. Common symptoms of SLE include: · Red skin rash shaped like a butterfly across the face · Increased sensitivity towards light · Pain and inflammation in the joints · Muscle pain · Fatigue and weakness · Hair loss · Anemia · Raynaud’s Phenomenon (fingers tingling and turn blue or white) Further symptoms may appear specific to the organ system targeted by the immune system.

Q. Is there any risk associated with this test?

There is no risk associated with the test. However, since this test involves a needle prick to withdraw the blood sample, in very rare cases, a patient may experience increased bleeding, hematoma formation (blood collection under the skin), bruising or infection at the site of needle prick.

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