Comparison of an enzyme immunoassay to an indirect fluorescent immunoassay for the detection of antinuclear antibodies.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

The standard method for detecting antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) is by immunofluorescence assay (IFA), a method that is labor intensive and subjective. In an attempt to overcome these limitations, several commercial enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) have been developed. We report the results of our evaluation of the ANA Microplate EIA (Sanofi Diagnostics Pasteur, Chaska, MN). For the evaluation, 808 serum samples were tested by EIA and IFA; 52 specimens were positive by both assays, 561 were negative by both assays, 91 were positive by EIA only, and 3 were positive by IFA only. Borderline results (not positive or negative) were obtained for 101 specimens, which were excluded when calculating the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of this assay, which were 94.6%, 86.0%, 36.4%, and 99.5%, respectively. Because of its high negative predictive value, this assay can be used reliably to detect ANA-negative samples; however, the low positive predictive value indicates that EIA-positive specimens should be retested by an IFA to determine the final result.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Reisner, BS; DiBlasi, J; Goel, N

Published Date

  • April 1999

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 111 / 4

Start / End Page

  • 503 - 506

PubMed ID

  • 10191770

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0002-9173

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1093/ajcp/111.4.503

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • England