Diagnostic testing and interpretation of tests for autoimmunity

Abstract

Laboratory testing is of great value when evaluating a patient with a suspected autoimmune disease. The results can confirm a diagnosis, estimate disease severity, aid in assessing prognosis and are useful for following disease activity. Components of the laboratory examination include a complete blood count with differential, a comprehensive metabolic panel, measurement of inflammatory markers and autoantibodies, and flow cytometry. This chapter discusses these components and includes a discussion about organ-specific immunologic diseases for which immunologic laboratory testing is used. Comprehensive laboratory evaluation of a suspected autoimmune illness in conjunction with a thorough clinical evaluation provides a better understanding of a patient's immunologic disease.

Figure 1

Figure of flow chamber and presentation of data of CD8/CD4 as dot plot (A) and contour plot (B). from Rich RR, Fleischer TA, Shearer WT, Schreder HW, Frew AJ, Weyand CM. Clinical Immunology Principles and Practice, Third edition. Chapter 97, page 1436, Figure 97.1. Reprinted with permission.

Figure 2

from Rich RR, Fleischer TA, Shearer WT, Schreder HW, Frew AJ, Weyand CM. Clinical Immunology Principles and Practice, Third edition. Chapter 97, page 1438, figure 97.4, A and B. Reprinted with permission.