Anti-dsDNA Test

Anti Ds-DNA antibody is a type of DNA blood test that is utilised to diagnose lupus or more aptly the SLE. If a patient has a positive ANA test result plus shows symptoms similar to that of lupus, the ELISA test is highly recommended. ELISA or more aptly enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is generally used to detect these antibodies in the blood. Anti Ds-DNA antibody test is a DNA blood test to identify Anti-double stranded DNA antibodies. Anti-double stranded DNA antibody is an autoantibody that belongs to the Antinuclear Antibody family (ANA). Autoantibodies are created when the immune system fails to distinguish between self cells and non-self cells. Antibodies function by guarding against infection, but autoantibodies form when the immune system fails to distinguish between the self cells and foreign cells. They attack the healthy body cells by mistake, resulting in tissue and organ damage. The name anti-dsDNA comes from the fact that it exclusively targets the genetic material (DNA) contained in the nucleus of a cell. The anti-dsDNA detects the presence of autoantibodies in the blood. In most cases, an ANA test is the initial step in determining whether or not a person has an autoimmune illness. The positive ANA test is indicative in roughly 95% of lupus cases, it can also be positive in many other diseases. The anti-dsDNA test is specific for lupus. Lupus is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that can damage the kidneys, joints, blood vessels, skin, heart, lungs and brain tissues. Anti-dsDNA testing, along with other autoantibody assays, may be used to help diagnose lupus and differentiate it from other autoimmune diseases. When a person is detected with lupus, the anti-dsDNA test can be used to measure disease progression. Lupus flare-ups occur, with symptoms worsening and then subsiding. Before and during these flare-ups, there may be an increase in anti-dsDNA levels. A high level (titer) of anti-dsDNA is often associated with continuous inflammation and kidney damage in people who have lupus nephritis. Lupus nephritis is a significant consequence of the SLE. Nephritis causes kidney inflammation. Lupus nephritis can result in protein in the urine, high blood pressure and kidney failure. When autoantibodies bind to antigens stored in the kidneys, it causes kidney disease. The anti-dsDNA test procedure is a quick and easy test to see if the blood sample contains antibodies. Anti-dsDNA antibodies have four subclasses: IgA, IgE, IgG and IgM. Not all of them are equally responsible for tissue damage in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).