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Indirect Immunofluorescence on HEp-2000 Substrate Is a Sensitive Method for Detecting Anti-Ro/SSA Antibodies in Patients with Lupus Erythematosus and/or Photosensitivity EMANUELE COZZANI, MASSIMO DROSERA, MARINA SICCARDI, GIOVANNI BABBINI, and AURORA PARODI
ABSTRACT. Methods. We examined 5949 sera samples from 2316 patients with connective tissue diseases. All sera were tested by IIF on HEp-2 cells as substrate and by counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE). The positive sera for anti-Ro/SSA antibodies by CIE were retested by IIF using HEp-2000 cells. The sera that were anti-Ro/SSA-positive in CIE but negative on HEp-2000 cells were tested by ELISA for the 60 and 52 subunits of Ro/SSA antigen. Results. Our results confirm the high sensitivity (81%) of HEp-2000 cells in detecting anti Ro/SSA antibodies. Conclusion. Using the HEp-2000 substrate is a reliable, simple alternative method for detecting anti-Ro/SSA antibodies in a first-level screening test such as IIF, especially in patients with lupus erythematosus and/or photosensitivity. (First Release June 1 2008; J Rheumatol 2008;35:1320-2) Key Indexing Terms:
HEp-2000 CELLS
From Di.S.E.M. Section of Dermatology, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. E. Cozzani, MD, PhD, Researcher; M. Drosera, Technician; M. Siccardi, PhD; A. Parodi, MD, Professor of Dermatology, Di.S.E.M. Section of Dermatology, University of Genoa; G. Babbini, PhD, Technogenetics Bouty Group, Milan, Italy. Address reprint requests to Dr. A. Parodi, Di.S.E.M. Section of Dermatology, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, n. 7, 16132 Genova, Italy. E-mail: aurora.parodi@unige.it Accepted for publication February 21, 2008. |
