International Consensus on Antinuclear Antibody Patterns in Portugal

Authors

  • Maria José Sousa Departamento de Imunopatologia e Autoimunidade. Centro de Medicina Laboratorial Germano de Sousa. Lisboa. Departamento de Medicina. Faculdade Ciências Médicas/ Nova Medical School. Lisboa.
  • Esmeralda Neves Departamento de Patologia. Serviço de Imunologia. Centro Hospitalar e Universitário do Porto. Porto.
  • Otília Figueiras Departamento de Patologia. Serviço de Imunologia. Centro Hospitalar e Universitário do Porto. Porto.
  • Ana Paula Cruz Laboratório de Imunologia Humoral. Serviço de Patologia Clínica. Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho. Vila Nova de Gaia.
  • Isabel Fernandes Laboratório de Imunologia. Serviço de Patologia Clínica. Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Ocidental. Lisboa.
  • Alexandra Mendes Laboratório de Imunologia. Serviço de Patologia Clínica. Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Ocidental. Lisboa.
  • Maria do Céu Santos Secção de Imunologia. Serviço de Patologia Clínica. Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Central. Lisboa.
  • Rosário Cunha Laboratório de Imunologia. Serviço de Patologia Clínica. Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Coimbra. Coimbra.
  • Lídia Magueijo Departamento de Imunologia. AFFIDEA. Laboratório de Castelo Branco. Castelo Branco.
  • Cláudia Pratas Departamento de Análises Especiais. UNILABS. Laboratório Carlos Torres. Porto.
  • Ana Miranda Departamento de Serologia e Autoimunidade. Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte. Lisboa.
  • Rita Ribeiro Departamento de Imunopatologia e Autoimunidade. Centro de Medicina Laboratorial Germano de Sousa. Lisboa.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.13121

Keywords:

Antibodies, Antinuclear/analysis, Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect/methods, Portugal

Abstract

Introduction: Screening for autoantibodies in HEp-2 cells by indirect immunofluorescence is currently accepted as the gold-standard test for the diagnosis of systemic autoimmune diseases. The main objective of the International Consensus on ANA Patterns is to achieve a consensus on the nomenclature and description of antinuclear antibody morphological patterns. This work aims to build on the International Consensus on ANA Patterns project to establish a nomenclature consensus in Portugal, thus contributing to harmonization in autoimmune diagnosis and promoting diagnostic quality in autoimmune systemic rheumatic diseases.
Material and Methods: Participating laboratories identified all the nuclear and cytoplasmic pattern designations in the International Consensus on ANA Patterns (including the anti-cell pattern code), and matched them with the corresponding Portuguese nomenclature in use. The results were aggregated and used as a foundation for nomenclature harmonization work. Consensus meetings followed an iterative process, until a final consensual proposal was drafted.
Results: Prior agreement between laboratories was over 75% for 23 of the total 29 anti-cell patterns. The degree to which each laboratory is aligned with the International Consensus on ANA Patterns international reference ranges from 22.1% to 100%. It was possible to write a consensual version of the International Consensus on ANA Patterns nomenclature for Portugal.
Discussion: There was a good consensus basis for the nomenclature in the International Consensus on ANA Patterns, despite relevant differences with some translations. The study highlights the need for collaboration among laboratories towards an unambiguous description of laboratory results.
Conclusion: This study shows that there is good potential for collaboration between laboratories in order to produce the consensus needed to improve diagnosis and patient follow-up.

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Published

2021-05-02

How to Cite

1.
Sousa MJ, Neves E, Figueiras O, Cruz AP, Fernandes I, Mendes A, Santos M do C, Cunha R, Magueijo L, Pratas C, Miranda A, Ribeiro R. International Consensus on Antinuclear Antibody Patterns in Portugal. Acta Med Port [Internet]. 2021 May 2 [cited 2024 Dec. 23];34(5):347-54. Available from: https://actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/13121

Issue

Vol. 34 No. 5 (2021): May

Section

Original

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