Diagnostic performance of specific biomarkers for interstitial lung disease: a single center study.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the clinical significance of Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6), surfactant proteins A (SP-A) and D (SP-D) in the evaluation and management of interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Methods: Serum KL-6, SP-A, SP-D levels were measured in 122 unique consecutive patients referred for connective tissue disease (CTD) associated ILD (CTD-ILD) autoantibodies and 120 "healthy" controls. Patients' charts were retrospectively reviewed and categorized as ILD and non-ILD or CTD-ILD and other ILD.

Autoantibody evaluation in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), generally referred to as myositis is a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by muscle inflammation and/or skin involvement, diverse extramuscular manifestations with variable risk for malignancy and response to treatment. Contemporary clinico-serologic categorization identifies 5 main clinical groups which can be further stratified based on age, specific clinical manifestations and/or risk for cancer. The serological biomarkers for this classification are generally known as myositis-specific (MSAs) and myositis-associated antibodies.

Using differential mobility spectrometry to improve the specificity of targeted measurements of 2,3-dinor 11β-Prostaglandin F2α.

Introduction: 2,3-dinor 11β-Prostaglandin F2α (BPG) is an arachidonic acid derivative and the most abundant metabolic byproduct of prostaglandin D2, which is released during mast cell activation. Therefore, measurements of BPG in urine using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) provide a noninvasive method for evaluation and management of mast cell disorders. Measurements obtained by LC-MS/MS exhibit a high prevalence of chromatographic interferences resulting in challenges with optimal determination of BGP.

Prevalence of tissue transglutaminase antibodies and IgA deficiency are not increased in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a case-control study.

Background: The prevalence of Celiac Disease (CD) in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) has been reported to be 0.1-7% in various small studies. As a result of the limited number of research and their inconclusive results there are no clear recommendations for routine CD screening in asymptomatic patients with JIA.

Reporting and Establishment of Reference Intervals for Antiphospholipid Antibody Immunoassays: A Survey of Participants in the College of American Pathologists Proficiency Testing Program.

Context.—: Misdiagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome can occur owing to the wide diversity of antiphospholipid (aPL) assays and a lack of international calibrators and harmonized reference intervals.

Objective.

Diplomate in Medical Laboratory Immunology Certification Examination: A New Chapter for Medical Laboratory Immunology.

It is indeed a privilege to be an immunologist in what is arguably the golden age of immunology. From astounding advances in fundamental knowledge to groundbreaking immunotherapeutic offerings, immunology has carved out an enviable niche for itself in basic science and clinical medicine. The need and the vital importance of appropriate education, training, and certification in clinical immunology was recognized by the World Health Organization as far back as 1972.

Reduced quantity and function of pneumococcal antibodies are associated with exacerbations of COPD in SPIROMICS.

While hypogammaglobulinemia is associated with COPD exacerbations, it is unknown whether frequent exacerbators have specific defects in antibody production/function. We hypothesized that reduced quantity/function of serum pneumococcal antibodies correlate with exacerbation risk in the SPIROMICS cohort. We measured total pneumococcal IgG in n = 764 previously vaccinated participants with COPD.

Clinical Significance of Anti-U1 Ribonucleoprotein Antibody Is Analyte Dependent: Implications for Laboratory Reporting, Interpretation, and Interassay Correlations.

Context.—: Antibodies to U1 ribonucleoprotein (U1RNP) were first described more than 50 years ago, and although clinically relevant for antinuclear antibody-associated connective tissue disease (ANA-CTD), test results are challenging to interpret.

Objective.

Presence of anti-gp210 or anti-sp100 antibodies in AMA-positive patients may help support a diagnosis of primary biliary cholangitis.

Background: Anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA) positivity is not always associated with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). We aimed to determine the additional value of anti-sp100 or anti-gp210 antibody in AMA-positive patients for PBC.

Methods: Patients (n = 190) and healthy donors (n = 50) were evaluated for AMA, anti-gp210 and anti-sp100 antibodies by ELISA.

Reducing the burden of surveillance in pregnant women with no history of fetal atrioventricular block using the negative predictive value of anti-Ro/SSA antibody titers.

Background: The risk of fetal atrioventricular block in anti-Ro/SSA antibody-exposed pregnancies with no previous affected offspring is approximately 2%. A high antibody titer is necessary but not sufficient for atrioventricular block, and specific antibody titers do not predict risk. However, there are no data on the negative predictive value of antibody titer to identify pregnancies at low risk of fetal atrioventricular block, and may not require surveillance.

Performance of MPO-ANCA and PR3-ANCA immunoassays for the stratification of specific ANCA-associated vasculitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To determine the impact of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and proteinase 3 (PR3) antigen-specific immunoassays in the stratification of patients at-risk for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAV) at diagnosis.

Methods: A Medline search was conducted to identify diagnostic accuracy studies using PR3-ANCA or MPO-ANCA for the evaluation of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). Studies estimates were pooled using the bivariate method.

Assessment of a Line Immunoassay for the Detection of Mi-2 Antibodies: Results From a Single Academic Center Investigation.

Objectives: To evaluate the performance characteristics of a line immunoassay (LIA) for the detection of Mi-2 antibodies associated with dermatomyositis (DM).

Methods: In total, 432 consecutive patient specimens were tested for Mi-2 antibodies concurrently by LIA (Mi-2α or Mi-2β) or immunoprecipitation (IP) test and antinuclear antibody by indirect immunofluorescence assay using HEp-2 substrate. Following antibody evaluation, results for patients positive in any of the assays for Mi-2 antibody had a retrospective chart review for diagnostic categorization.

Performance evaluation of a radioimmunoprecipitation assay for the detection of N-type voltage-gated calcium channel antibodies.

Background: In this study, we assessed the performance characteristics of a laboratory-developed radioimmunoassay (RIA) to detect N-type voltage-gated calcium channel (N-VGCC) antibodies found in several autoimmune neurologic diseases.

Methods: Four hundred and forty-five (n = 445) sera were evaluated, including 156 sera (50 positive and 106 negative for N-VGCC antibodies) previously tested at Mayo Clinic Laboratories (MCL) and 289 controls (n = 187 disease and n = 102 healthy). Specimens were analyzed with the RIA using N-VGCC labeled with I-ω-conotoxin GVIA.

The antinuclear antibody HEp-2 indirect immunofluorescence assay: a survey of laboratory performance, pattern recognition and interpretation.

Background: To evaluate the interpretation and reporting of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using HEp-2 substrates based on common practice and guidance by the International Consensus on ANA patterns (ICAP).

Method: Participants included two groups [16 clinical laboratories (CL) and 8 in vitro diagnostic manufacturers (IVD)] recruited via an email sent to the Association of Medical Laboratory Immunologists (AMLI) membership. Twelve (n = 12) pre-qualified specimens were distributed to participants for testing, interpretation and reporting HEp-2 IFA.

Highlights of the 33rd annual scientific meeting of the Association of Medical Laboratory Immunologists (AMLI).

The annual meeting of the Association of Medical Laboratory Immunologists (AMLI) was convened virtually over the month of August. Prior to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, AMLI's scientific committee had chosen the following topics as the focus of its 2020 meeting: Histocompatibility Testing and Transplant Immunology; Secondary Immunodeficiency and Immunotherapy Monitoring; ANA Update; and Emerging Infectious Diseases and New Algorithms for Testing. Given the central role of the discipline in the evaluation of the host response to infection, it was apt to add a separate session on antibody testing for SARS-CoV-2 infections to the original program.

Assessment of antinuclear antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence assay: report from a survey by the American Association of Medical Laboratory Immunologists.

Background: The indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using HEp-2 cell substrates is the preferred method by some for detecting antinuclear antibodies (ANA) as it demonstrates a number of characteristic staining patterns that reflect the cellular components bound as well as semi-quantitative results. Lack of harmonized nomenclature for HEp-2 IFA patterns, subjectivity in interpretation and variability in the number of patterns reported by different laboratories pose significant harmonization challenges. The main objectives of this study were to assess current practice in laboratory assessment of HEp-2 IFA, identify gaps and define strategies to improve reading, interpretation and reporting.

Laboratory Evaluation of Antiphospholipid Syndrome: An Update on Autoantibody Testing.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is as an autoimmune disease characterized by thrombosis and/or specific pregnancy-related morbidity associated with persistent antiphospholipid antibodies, namely, lupus anticoagulant and IgG and IgM antibodies to cardiolipin and beta2 glycoprotein I. Optimal antibody detection plays a central role in diagnosis and classification. This review discusses antiphospholipid antibodies helpful for diagnosing APS.

Laboratory Evaluation of Antiphospholipid Syndrome.

Objectives: Anti-β2 glycoprotein I domain I (anti-domain I) and anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin (aPS/PT) antibodies are present in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS); however, their use in evaluation remains unclear.

Methods: Diagnostic attributes of lupus anticoagulant (LAC), anti-domain I IgG, anti-cardiolipin, anti-β2 glycoprotein I (anti-β2GPI), and aPS/PT IgG and IgM antibodies were assessed in 216 patients evaluated for APS.

Results: LAC had the best odds ratio (OR, 14.

Assessment of diagnostic methods for the detection of anticardiolipin and anti-βeta glycoprotein I antibodies in patients under routine evaluation for antiphospholipid syndrome.

Background: We assessed the performance characteristics and correlations of the traditional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and chemiluminescence immunoassay (CIA) for detecting IgG and IgM antibodies to cardiolipin (aCL) and beta glycoprotein (anti-βGPI) antibodies in patients under routine evaluation for APS.

Methods: Patients (n = 216) referred to ARUP Laboratories for lupus anticoagulant (LAC) and/or aCL or anti-βGPI IgG/IgM antibodies evaluation were assessed by ELISA and CIA methods. Diagnostic accuracies, correlations between methods and specific clinical manifestations in APS were investigated.