Specimen need not be refrigerated or frozen. Collect 2-3 ml of blood in a red top or serum separator tube. If possible, separate serum from clot and place into white tube provided with Immco Diagnostics’ collection kits. If separation facilities are not available, the blood can be sent in the tube used for collection.

Sample is stable at ambient temperature during shipment. If sample is stored prior to shipment, it is stable refrigerated (2-8°C) up to five days and frozen (-20°C or lower) up to one year.

This test is for detection of antibodies to nuclear antigens. The homogeneous pattern is primarily associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Antibodies to centromere antigens are highly specific for calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal immotility, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia, commonly referred to as CREST syndrome, a limited form of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Centromere antibodies can also occasionally be found in low titers in some other autoimmune variants. Antinuclear antibodies with a speckled pattern are commonly associated with SLE, although they do occur in some cases of Sjögren’s syndrome and mixed connective tissue disorders. ANA antibodies with a nucleolar pattern are commonly associated with SSc, although they do occur in some cases of SLE and overlap syndromes. Overlap syndromes include dermatomyosistis/polymyositis.