What is sjogrens anti ss a

Outreach Solutions Tactics Articles Events. Utilization Management Algorithms. Test Catalog. Download Test. Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful Evaluating patients with signs and symptoms of a connective tissue disease in whom the test for antinuclear antibodies is positive, especially those with signs and symptoms consistent with Sjogren syndrome or lupus erythematosus This test is not useful in patients without demonstrable antinuclear antibodies.

Mosby-Year Book; 2. These targets, termed antigens, are located on the surfaces of microorganisms, cells, and blood proteins. Each antibody protein has a binding site that can attach to only a very specific molecular target. However, the large array of such antibody proteins in our blood ensures that a diverse and large number of molecular targets can be recognized.

Binding of such molecular targets is an essential step in our defense against infections and cancer. Cells that produce antibodies against molecular targets on our own tissues are actively eliminated from our bodies, particularly early in life.

If this mechanism goes awry, then we may form antibodies to self-material and be susceptible to autoimmune disease. SS-A and SS-B antibodies are examples of two antibodies that bind molecular targets within our own cells.

SS-A antibodies thus occur commonly by themselves. However, it is very uncommon for SS-B antibodies to occur alone. These antibodies may also be found in patients with systemic lupus and occasionally in other autoimmune diseases, such as myositis. Additionally, they may be found in approximately 1 in healthy women. However, a positive ANA test is also common in healthy individuals. The ANA test is most commonly performed using a technique that involves immunofluorescent staining of human cells grown in tissue culture Figure 3.

With this test, a positive result is listed as the last dilution of serum that results in visible staining of the nucleus of the cultured human cell. Typical dilutions are , , , and In patients with another well-defined major connective tissue disease, the presence of one symptom plus two of the three objective criteria is indicative of secondary SS. In the rare instances in which the cause of patient symptoms remains obscure, repeat testing and sometimes even additional salivary gland biopsies may be required.

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Register now at no charge to access unlimited clinical news, full-length features, case studies, conference coverage, and more. Table 1. Immunoglobulins Immunoglobulins are usually elevated in SS patients. Anti-nuclear Antibodies ANA These are a group of antibodies that react against normal components of a cell nucleus.

They seem to be associated with primary SS forms with vasculitis and leucopenia. The anti-SSA autoantibodies can bind to several antigenic epitopes expressed by two proteins of molecular masses of 52 and 60 kDa associated with RNA. Only the anti-SSA autoantibodies that recognize the kDa protein are tested routinely. Kidney function testing Urine testing urinalysis ad microscopy is helpful in assessing kidney involvement.

The presence of red cells and protein indicates active kidney inflammation in the absence of bladder and kidney infection. In the case of kidney involvement and reduction of kidney function, blood urea nitrogen BUN and creatinine will be elevated. More than 10 mm of moisture on the filter paper after 5 minutes is a sign of normal tear production.

Both eyes normally release the same amount of tears. A scoring system has been developed to rate the severity of these changes and is useful for monitoring dry eye treatment over time. The two dyes can be used interchangeably, but lissamine is better tolerated. Slit-lamp test This is an examination of the surface of the eye with the help of a fluorescin dye and a biomicroscope slit lamp to provide a magnified image of the tear film, the ocular surface and the eyelids, and to allow careful examination of the anterior portions of the eye, including the anterior chamber and iris.

Fluorscein allows evaluation of the quality of the tear film and detection of small areas of the cornea where the lining cells have been lost because of dryness or other forms of damage.