Performance Characteristics of Different Anti-Double-Stranded DNA Antibody Assays in the Monitoring of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

J Immunol Res. 2017:2017:1720902. doi: 10.1155/2017/1720902. Epub 2017 Dec 31.

Abstract

Objective: We sought to evaluate different anti-double-stranded DNA assays for their performance characteristics in monitoring disease activity fluctuations in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: 36 active SLE patients were followed monthly. At each study visit (total n = 371), blood was collected and disease activity was scored using the SELENA-SLEDAI (excluding anti-dsDNA or complement components) and by a physician's global assessment (PGA). Four anti-dsDNA tests were compared. Linear mixed-effects models with random intercept and fixed slopes were used to evaluate the relationship between the longitudinal fluctuations of disease activity and anti-dsDNA titers.

Results: At enrollment, positivity for QUANTA Lite and high-avidity anti-dsDNA assay was both 64% and significantly lower than anti-dsDNA positivity by QUANTA Flash (83%) and CLIFT (96%). Linear mixed-effects modeling indicated that the change in clinical SELENA-SLEDAI scores was associated with the titers of all anti-dsDNA with QUANTA Flash yielding the highest marginal R2 (0.15; p < 0.01). QUANTA Flash was the only anti-dsDNA assay significantly associated with the change in PGA (marginal R2 = 0.05; p < 0.01).

Conclusion: These data indicate that anti-dsDNA antibodies determined by QUANTA Flash have a value in monitoring SLE disease activity.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear / blood*
  • Antibody Affinity
  • Computer Simulation
  • DNA / immunology*
  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • Immunoassay / instrumentation
  • Immunoassay / methods*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / diagnosis*
  • Monitoring, Physiologic
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear
  • DNA