Antinuclear Antibodies and Anti-DNA-Antibodies in Connective Tissue Diseases and the Other Miscellaneous Diseases

Abstract

Nine hundred and twenty-seven sera of patients with connective tissue diseases and general medical diseases were tested for antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-DNA antibodies (A-DNA A) by the immunofluorescent antibody technique between April, 1974 and March, 1975. ANA and A-DNA A were detected most frequently in sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). High titer of ANA (especially in peripheral staining pattern) and A-DNA A were also found most frequently in SLE sera. The frequency of Positive ANA and A-DNA A in discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) was as much as in SLE patients, but the titers of ANA and A-DNA A in DLE wera lower than in SLE and peripheral staining pattern was not seen in patients with DLE. ANA and A-DNA A were also demonstrated in sera from patients with systemic scleroderma, Sjögren syndrome or Hashimoto's disease following SLE and DLE in frequency. In patients with other connective tissue diseases and the other miscellaneous diseases, ANA and A-DNA A in sera were occasionary detected. The detection was however less frequent and the titers were lower than in the above mentioned diseases.