Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41874028›Full record

ArticleAntibodies (Basel, Switzerland)2026

Evaluation of Anti-dsDNA Antibodies in Laboratory Practice: Management of Different Analytical Methods and Correlation with HEp-2 Immunofluorescence Patterns.

Massimo Papale, Carmela Paolillo, Loredana Iafelice, Tiziana Trivisano, Giuseppe Stefano Netti, Elena Ranieri, Gaetano Corso

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Antibodies (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Massimo PapaleLaboratory of Clinical Pathology, Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Polyclinic University-Hospital Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy.
Carmela PaolilloClinical Biochemistry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-2677-5747
Loredana IafeliceLaboratory of Clinical Pathology, Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Polyclinic University-Hospital Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy.
Tiziana TrivisanoLaboratory of Clinical Pathology, Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Polyclinic University-Hospital Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy.
Giuseppe Stefano NettiUnit of Clinical Pathology, Center for Research and Innovation in Medicine (CREATE), Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Viale Luigi Pinto, 71122 Foggia, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-3495-2707
Elena RanieriUnit of Clinical Pathology, Center for Research and Innovation in Medicine (CREATE), Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Viale Luigi Pinto, 71122 Foggia, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-4996-3938
Gaetano CorsoLaboratory of Clinical Pathology, Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Polyclinic University-Hospital Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-4720-1320

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAnti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibodies are a key serological marker for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and are commonly assessed in conjunction with anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) testing by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on HEp-2 cells. However, their detection is influenced both by the heterogeneity of the autoimmune response and by the characteristics of the analytical method employed, thereby complicating diagnostic interpretation.

methodsIn this retrospective single-center study, 3090 consecutive patients undergoing anti-dsDNA analysis were screened, and 138 positive individuals, with anti-dsDNA levels ≥ 15 IU/mL by fluoroenzyme immunoassay (FEIA), were included in the study. A control group of 29 anti-dsDNA-negative patients was also analyzed. Anti-dsDNA-positive patients were stratified by antibody level (low, mild, high), and the results were correlated with HEp-2 IIF titers and fluorescence patterns. Furthermore, in a subset of 30 positive patients, anti-dsDNA antibodies were evaluated using immunoblotting (IB) and the

resultsHigher anti-dsDNA levels were generally associated with higher HEp-2 IIF titers. However, a considerable percentage (35%) of patients with positive anti-dsDNA were negative by HEp-2 IIF. Notably, high anti-dsDNA levels were detected in 19% of HEp-2 IIF-negative patients (titer < 1:80), 18% of mildly HEp-2 IIF-positive patients (titer 1:80-1:160), and 25% of HEp-2 IIF-positive patients (titer > 1:320). In the subset of 30 positive patients, FEIA analysis showed high concordance with the immunoblot in both IIF-positive (81%) and -negative (100%) patients, while CLIFT demonstrated lower agreement with both FEIA and IB independently of the IIF.

conclusionsOur findings indicate that anti-dsDNA antibody detection may occur independently of HEp-2 IIF positivity and that FEIA, especially when confirmed by immunoblot, represents a reliable approach for anti-dsDNA assessment. The observed results in this study likely reflect differences in epitope recognition and assay sensitivity among methods, suggesting the use of a multi-step diagnostic strategy in the serological evaluation of SLE.

Indexed as

anti-dsDNA antibodyCLIFTFEIAimmunoblotindirect immunofluorescencesystemic lupus erythematous

Identifiers

PMID41874028
PMCPMC13010703

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