Antinuclear Antibodies. I. Patterns of Nuclear Immunofluorescence

Abstract

Fifteen separate and distinct nuclear immunofluorescent patterns have been identified by indirect immunofluorescence employing human spleen touch imprints as substrate. The patterns may be classified into three groups. 1. Patterns of major diagnostic importance: This group includes the peripheral pattern seen in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the thready pattern seen most commonly in LE, occasionally in scleroderma, but not in rheumatoid arthritis; the speckled pattern mainly confined to scleroderma and Raynaud's disease; and nucleolar fluorescence found almost exclusively only in scleroderma. 2. Patterns of less specificity but still of helpful diagnostic importance: A pattern of large speckle-like threads was seen mainly in LE while a nucleolar-like speckled pattern was generally not seen in LE. 3. Patterns not associated with any specific disease: These patterns have to be differentiated from those specifically associated with certain diseases. Malignancy must be strongly suspected when unexplained persistently positive tests are found.