Turnaround times
The quoted turnaround time is from sample receipt in the laboratory, to results authorisation in the Laboratory Information Management system. The times do not include transport of specimen to the laboratory or the administrative process to print and post/email reports. Service users must allow for transport and reporting time when ordering tests.
Clinical background:
Elevated levels of ds-DNA antibodies are found in many cases of SLE and in some cases of autoimmune chronic active hepatitis. ds-DNA antibodies are not found in other connective tissue diseases.
Specimen container paediatric:
Serum-Plain tube
Specimen container adult:
Serum-SST
Minimum volume paediatric:
1 ml
Minimum volume adult:
1 ml
Special requirements:
None
Freq analysis:
Daily
Add on test:
All urgent add ons via telephone on 0191 2821890, and must be confirmed via email to the appropriate email address: [email protected]
Quality assurance:
UK NEQAS for Antibodies to Nuclear and Related Antigens
Interpretation:
In SLE a rising titre may predict relapse, however, as the half-life of circulating antibodies is 3 weeks it is not useful to measure ds-DNA antibody levels more frequently than this.
Reference ranges:
Normal Adult Range: Negative1 – 4 IU/ml: Negative5 – 8 IU/ml: Borderline9 – 300 IU/ml: Positive>300 IU/ml: Strongly positive
Other info:
Results are reported as a value.