Abstract

The basis of autoimmune diseases such as SLE (Systemic Lupus Eritematodes), Sjogren’s syndrome, scleroderma, dermatomyositis and polymiositis is the creation of auto-antibodies to the following specific extractable nuclear antigens (ENA): Jo-1, Ssl-70, SS-A, SS-B, Sm and Sm/RNPs. Some of these antigens are in fact enzymes ( Jo-1–histidil- tRNA synthetase, Scl-70–topoisomerase) which are inhibited by specific autoantibodies - this leads to disturbance in the metabolism of DNA and protein biosynthesis. During 2009, we analyzed total of 87 serum samples of patients suspected for autoimmune disorder using ANA-IFA and ELI SA-ENA-6 methods. After establishing IFA-ANA positivity (83,9%), all serum specimens, ANA positive and negative, were subtypized by ELI SA ENA-6 test. Analysis showed the highest incidence of anti-SS-A (56%), and incidence of anti-SS-B (29,8%), anti-Sm/ RNP (11,5%), anti-Jo-1 (2,3%) and anti-Scl-70 (1,1%) auto-antibodies. Also, 78,5% of IFA-ANA negative serum specimens showed high level of positivity (212,50 i 277,0 IU/ml) to SS-A (78,5%) and SS-B (21,4%) antigenes using ELI SA-ENA-6 subtypization. Following these results, we conclude that it is necessary to introduce Western blot confirmation testing. After comparing with other clinical findings, we diagnosed the following autoimmune diseases: SLE, Sjogren’s syndrome and dermatomiosytis.

Key words: autoimmunity, IFA-ANA, ELISA-ENA-6, serum specimens, subtypization