Glomerulonephritis (GNP) Profile (RDL)

ANA are commonly present in a variety of autoimmune diseases. ANA frequency also increases with age in apparently healthy people. ANA patterns on HEp-2 slides provide general clues about particles (chromatin, nucleosomes, and spliceosomes).

The Farr assay is the most specific method for detecting dsDNA autoantibodies. Significant elevations in dsDNA autoantibody concentrations confirm the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Serial studies of elevated values of dsDNA auto antibodies are useful for predicting activity of SLE.

Anti-MPO autoantibodies aid in assessment of certain autoimmune vasculitides such as microscopic polyarteritis, and crescentic glomerulonephritis.

Elevated levels of Anti-PR-3 antibodies are classically observed in patients with Wegener granulomatosis (WG), particularly with active disease, and less frequently in other forms of necrotizing vasculitis.

Anti-GBM autoantibodies are recognized as being important in the pathogenesis of the rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis of Goodpasture's syndrome. Measurements of C3 and C4 are used to detect individuals with inborn deficiency of this factor or those with immunologic disease in whom complement is consumed at an increased rate. These include lupus erythematosus, chronic active hepatitis, certain chronic infections, post-streptococcal and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, and others.