Other Methods for ANA Testing

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Other Methods for ANA Testing

Automated ANA assays are also commercially available. These methods are convenient because they are automated; however, they lack the broad range of antigens that are present in the slide-based assays. This limited range of antigens results in false-negative results for some samples that contain clinically significant ANAs. Position papers from such organizations as the American College of Rheumatology and the College of American Pathologists have called into question the accuracy of these automated ANA assays and recommend against using them as ANA screens. They further suggest that laboratories should inform clinicians what method was used for testing so the clinicians can better interpret the results.