DNA haemagglutination test in the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus.

The occurrence of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) antibodies in the sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been established by several authors by different techniques. Their diagnostic value has been studied in more extensive series of patients by Jokinen and Makitalo (1960: passive haemagglutination and complement-fixation), Kayhoe, Nasou, and Bozicevich (1960: bentonite flocculation), Rothfield, Phythyon, McEwen and Miescher (1961: conglutinin-complement-fixation), and Seligmann (1963: precipitation, complementfixation, and bentonite flocculation). Lawlis (1958) described a passive haemagglutination method using formalinized erythrocytes sensitized with DNA. This method was used in diagnosis by Oliveira Lima, Fraga and Seabra (1961) and Lachmann (1964). Using the same method it is the aim of the present paper to throw light on the clinical significance of the occurrence of DNA antibodies within an extensive and diversified series of hospital patients.