Table 1 (Inter)National recommendations on the reporting of ANA test results

ANA method

+

+^a

NS

+

NA^b

NA^b

+^a

+

+^a

^aTests based on a restricted number of defined nuclear antigens are excluded

^bRecommendations are restricted to IIF testing

Neg/Pos

+^a

NS

NS^b

NS^a

NS

+^c

NS

+^d

NS

^aScored for all cellular compartments

^bScored separately for nuclear and cytoplasmic staining

^cCytoplasmic staining is considered ANA positive

^dIncluding % controls with similar titer

Titer (end-titer)

+^a

+ (1:1280)

+ (1:5000)

+ (1:640)

+ (1:5120)

+^b

+^a

+^c

+^c

^aEnd-titer is not defined

^bTitration is optional; staining intensity is alternative

^cTitration to highest dilution

Pattern

+^a

+^a

+^b

+^a

+

+

+^c

NS

+^a

^aIncluding cytoplasmic and mitotic patterns

^bAt least centromere and cytoplasmic patterns

^cReporting to the clinician is optional

Advise reflex testing

NS

NS

+^a

NS

+^b

+^c

+^c

+^c

+^c

^aOnly if ANA is positive

^bMention possible target antigens

^cIf ANA is positive or disease associated with anti-SSA, -Jo1 (or other synthetases) and/or -RibP is suspected

Advise disease association

NS

NS

NS

+

+^a

NS

NS

NS

NS

^aIn light of diagnostic question posed