Anti-dsDNA Test

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Lupus Nephritis, Sjogren Syndrome, Mixed Connective Tissue Disease

Anti-Ds-DNA antibody test is a DNA blood test to identify Anti-double stranded DNA antibodies. Anti-double stranded DNA antibody is an autoantibody that belongs to the Antinuclear Antibody family (ANA). Autoantibodies are created when the immune system fails to distinguish between self-cells and non-self-cells.

Antibodies function by guarding against infection, but autoantibodies form when the immune system fails to distinguish between the self cells and foreign cells. They attack the healthy body cells by mistake, resulting in tissue and organ damage.

The name anti-dsDNA comes from the fact that it exclusively targets the genetic material (DNA) contained in the nucleus of a cell. The anti-dsDNA detects the presence of autoantibodies in the blood.

In most cases, an ANA test is the initial step in determining whether or not a person has an autoimmune illness. The positive ANA test is indicative in roughly 95% of lupus cases, it can also be positive in many other diseases. The anti-dsDNA test is specific for lupus.

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that can damage the kidneys, joints, blood vessels, skin, heart, lungs and brain tissues. Anti-dsDNA testing, along with other autoantibody assays, may be used to help diagnose lupus and differentiate it from other autoimmune diseases.

When a person is detected with lupus, the anti-dsDNA test can be used to measure disease progression. Lupus flare-ups occur, with symptoms worsening and then subsiding. Before and during these flare-ups, there may be an increase in anti-dsDNA levels.

A high level (titer) of anti-dsDNA is often associated with continuous inflammation and kidney damage in people who have lupus nephritis.

Lupus nephritis is a significant consequence of SLE. Nephritis causes kidney inflammation. Lupus nephritis can result in protein in the urine, high blood pressure and kidney failure. When autoantibodies bind to antigens stored in the kidneys, it causes kidney disease.

The anti-dsDNA test procedure is a quick and easy test to see if the blood sample contains antibodies. Anti-dsDNA antibodies have four subclasses: IgA, IgE, IgG and IgM. Not all of them are equally responsible for tissue damage in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).

Other names of Anti-dsDNA test

• Double-stranded DNA antibody
• Anti-double-stranded DNA antibody
• Native double-stranded DNA antibody
• Antibody to ds-DNA
• Anti-DNA

What does the Anti-dsDNA test detect or measure? Who is the Anti-dsDNA test prescribed for?

The anti-dsDNA test detects the presence of autoantibodies in DNA. Anti-dsDNA is autoantibodies produced by the immune system that wrongly targets the DNA.

The Anti-dsDNA test procedure is not a routine test. Anti-ds DNA test values specifically indicate autoimmune disease SLE.

The anti-dsDNA test values are essential in people

• Who shows signs and symptoms that could be due to lupus?
• Who has a positive ANA test?

The anti-dsDNA test is prescribed to people with the following symptoms:

• Muscle pain
• Severe fatigue
• Joint pain
• Low-grade fever
• Persistent weakness
• Joint swelling
• Headaches
• Hair loss
• Anaemia
• Blood-clotting
• Skin sensitivity to light
• Weight loss
• White or blue fingers with tingling sensations.
• Sun sensitivity rashes, such as a rash on the cheeks and nose, known as the butterfly rash.
• Mucous membrane ulcers occur in the mouth.
• Inflammation and damage of organs and tissues, which includes the kidneys, lungs, heart, central nervous system and blood vessels.

The normal range of anti-dsDNA is as follows:

The immune system has several components. In the case of lupus, these components attack the body's cells for defence. There are two types: complement 3 (C3) and complement 4 (C4).

• Lupus is suspected if an anti-ds DNA test report shows low C3 levels or low C4 levels.
• Lupus is regulated in the system if C3 and C4 levels are moderate.

The interpretation of anti-dsDNA test reports depends on a person's clinical case and signs and symptoms. The increased anti-dsDNA values in the blood suggest lupus.

Elevation in anti-ds DNA values means:

• The person likely has lupus. It is confirmatory of lupus when anti-dsDNA is positive along with clinical signs and symptoms of lupus.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus is about to flare up.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus has flared up already.
• There could be a continuous inflammatory process due to autoimmune disease. 
• There is kidney damage in the person who has lupus nephritis.

Decrease in anti-ds DNA value means

• The patient is having a disease with a negative status of Anti-dsDNA.
• Negative anti-dsDNA does not rule out the possibility of lupus.

Low values of Anti-ds DNA could be due to

• Autoimmune illnesses
• Sjögren syndrome
• Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD)

Anti-dsDNA chart can be positive due to

• Chronic hepatitis
• Primary biliary cirrhosis
• Infectious mononucleosis
• Medications like procainamide or hydralazine

Lupus symptoms sometimes overlap with those of a variety of different conditions, making diagnosis difficult. Consulting the doctor is essential for these symptoms. The doctor can perform clinical examinations to make an accurate diagnosis.

A simple blood sample is taken for the anti-dsDNA test.

Test Preparation

An anti-dsDNA test procedure does not require any special preparation. The health care provider may ask for fasting for 12 hours before sample collection if there are any other tests prescribed along with the anti-dsDNA test.

The anti-dsDNA test procedure is not painful. A blood sample is obtained from one of the veins in the arm.

Test Inclusions: What parameters are included?

Anti-dsDNA tests are done with a variety of tests. The anti-dsDNA enzyme-linked immunosorbent test is a method done in many laboratories.

The increase or decrease of anti-dsDNA is the only parameter included in the anti-dsDNA test procedure.

How frequently should you take this test?

Under these circumstances, you can be prescribed an anti-ds DNA test a second time:

• If initial anti-ds DNA test reports are negative but clinical signs and symptoms indicate lupus, the test needs repetition within 15 days.
• The anti-dsDNA test repetition helps to track the progression of the disease or flare-ups. Anti-dsDNA test reports are repeated once in 6 months to monitor disease status in those detected with lupus. The anti-dsDNA test values help the doctor to track the flare-up and complications of lupus.
• If the anti-dsDNA test reports are within normal limits, the test is repeated once a year in people with autoimmune diseases.

What is the anti-dsDNA normal range?

Anti-dsDNA antibodies reference range is:

•  Negative (≤4 IU/ml)
•  Indeterminate (5–9 IU/ml)
•  Positive (≥10 IU/ml).

The anti-ds DNA reports should only be used as a guide to diagnosis and not for the conclusion.