ANA include antibodies to nuclear antigens such as DNA, histone and various extractable nuclear antigens (ENA). Antibodies to nDNA are specific for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The frequency and titer of dsDNA antibodies fluctuate with disease activity and tend to disappear upon immunosuppressive treatment and during remission. There is good correlation between disease activity and anti-nDNA antibody levels. The two most commonly employed methods for detecting anti-nDNA antibodies are indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).

Crithidia Luciliæ