SAT0662 Evaluation of anti-double stranded dna antibodies in the monitoring of systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune rheumatic disease characterized by the production of pathogenic autoantibodies. Amongst these antibodies, those directed to dsDNA are routinely used to monitor disease activity and are components of the SELENA-SLEDAI index to score severity of SLE disease. Because the predictive value of anti-dsDNA is dependent on the sensitivity and robustness of the assays used, the choice of anti-dsDNA is crucial in the clinical laboratory and clinical research setting. Objectives The objective was to compare four anti-dsDNA assays for their performance characteristics of SLE disease activity. Methods A cohort of 36 subjects with active SLE presenting with classical complement activation were enrolled and followed monthly for 1 year. At each study visit blood was collected, serum isolated and frozen until analysis. A total of 371 specimens were collected. Disease activity was scored on the day of each study visit according to the SELENA-SLEDAI method excluding anti-dsDNA or complement components (non-serological [ns] SELENA-SLEDAI). All specimens were tested using four different anti-dsDNA kits; QUANTA Lite, QUANTA Flash, a high Avidity anti-dsDNA ELISA, and the Crithidia luciliae indirect immunofluorescence assay (CLIFT) (Inova Diagnostics, San Diego, CA). Study visits presenting with inactive disease (ns-SELENA- SLEDAI score=0) were compared to those presenting with active disease (ns-SELENA- SLEDAI>0). The longitudinal data were analyzed using linear mixed effect modeling with the ns-SELENA-SLEDAI as dependent variable and the anti-dsDNA titers as fixed effect predictors. Marginal R2 was calculated for each assay. Results At enrollment the sensitivity of the QUANTA Lite and High Avidity anti-dsDNA both reached 64%; whereas anti-dsDNA positivity was 83% by QUANTA Flash and reached 96% by CLIFT. Study visits with active disease presented with several fold higher anti-dsDNA titers than those with inactive disease status (Table 1). Linear mixed effect modeling indicated that the decrease in ns-SELENA-SLEDAI scores were associated with significant reduction in titers of all three anti-dsDNA kits (Table 2). QUANTA Flash yielded highest marginal R2 (0.112) (Table 2). Conclusions These preliminary data indicate that anti-dsDNA antibodies determined by QUANTA Flash have value in monitoring SLE disease activity. Disclosure of Interest T. Dervieux: None declared, T. O9Malley: None declared, J. Conklin: None declared, C. Ibarra: None declared, C. Bentow Employee of: Inova Diagnostics, M. A. Aure Employee of: Inova Diagnostics, M. Mahler Employee of: Inova Diagnostics