Combining multi-antigenic immunodot with indirect immunofluorescence on HEp-2 cells improves the diagnosis of systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is associated, in nearly all patients, with autoantibodies (Ab). Accordingly, and order to identify major (anti-CEN A/B anti-Topo I) but also minor Abs, the usefulness of combining indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on HEp-2 cells an 11 multi-antigenic SSc immunodot was explored. 1689 samples tested at request clinicians, were evaluated retrospectively. The positivity rate 28.8% diagnosis supported for 232 samples. Two groups Abs considered: group 1, (anti-CENP A/B, present elevated levels patients; 2, which Ab specificity (odds ratio and/or positive predictive value) improved by using IIF (RNA-Polymerase III, fibrillarin, Th/T0, PM-Scl). Altogether, this study highlights utility as first line detection/SSc diagnostic strategy.