We compared the reliability and reproducibility of three tests for fluorescent antinuclear antibodies (FANA) that are routinely performed in our laboratory. Sera from 72 patients, selected according to diagnosis (SLE in 28, RA in 12, and other connective-tissue diseases in 33), and from 32 healthy controls were tested with all three assays. There were wide variations between the results obtaine...

One and one-half percent of human sera from patients seen at a clinic for treatment of cancer contained antibodies to the nuclei of chick kidney cells by indirect immunofluorescence tests. In the group of sera containing antinuclear antibodies, the geometric mean titer to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) capsid antigen was significantly elevated. Sera obtained from normal adults or from patients with s...

The indirect fluorescent-antibody (IFA) method for diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is widely used and is considered to be as specific as the Sabin-Feldman dye test. After observing a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who had a positive toxoplasma IFA test but a negative dye test, we studied sera with high titers of antinuclear antibodies from 16 SLE patients and from 2 with rheumatoid ...

Antinuclear antibodies occurred more often and in higher titres in psychiatric patients than in controls. Anti-DNA antibodies were not found. We suggest that antinuclear antibodies may be drug-induced and that lithium carbonate may have a particular tendency to produce this reaction.

BACKGROUND Morphea is an inflammatory autoimmune skin sclerosis of unknown etiology. A causative role of Borrelia burgdorferi infection has been controversially discussed, but no conclusive solution has yet been achieved. OBJECTIVE Intrigued by 3 young patients with severe Borrelia-associated morphea and high-titer antinuclear antibodies, we retrospectively examined the relationship between B...