Serial testing shows that increasing amounts of IgG anti-C1q predict renal flares in SLE patients. An increase in serum IgG anti-C1q has sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 92%. Elevated serum titers tend to be associated with proliferative forms of lupus, glomerulonephritis and subendothelial deposits of immune complexes.

1 mL Serum or EDTA Plasma

Autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED) is a heterogeneous group of diseases with regard to clinical presentation and immunoreactivity to inner ear components. They include rapidly progressive sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), Ménière's disease (MD), and sudden deafness (SD). The search for a diagnostic test led to the finding that most AIED patients had antibodies that react with 130-kd, 68- kd, 58-kd, 42-kd and 30-kd (P0) proteins from human and bovine ears. The presence of antibodies to a 68-kd antigen, identified by Western blot, has been the best candidate to date as a diagnostic test for AIED and may be useful in predicting steroid responsiveness in the patient population. Moreover, reactivity with the 68-kd protein was present in serum samples from 89% of 47 patients with active disease compared to none of 25 patients with inactive disease. Of the 36 patients with a positive test result on Western blot assay for antibodies to the 68-kd protein, 27 (75%) responded to steroid therapy. Only four (18%) of the 22 patients with a negative test result responded to steroid therapy. A recent study showed a positive reaction to P0 (from guinea pig inner ear extraction) in all bilateral MD and bilateral sudden hearing loss patients and indicates these pathologies are the result of an ongoing autoimmune process directed against specific inner ear antigens.

The 68-kd inner ear antigen identified by Ramakrishnam is not HSP-70. The 68-kd protein binds supporting cells in the organ of Corti, while HSP-70 antibody does not bind to any site in the inner ear. Also, the commercial recombinant HSP-70 could not bind to sera from patients with AIED.

This data indicates that the presence of circulating antibodies to human or bovine inner ear extract serves as a useful marker for the diagnosis of AIED and that its presence correlates with disease activity and responsiveness to corticosteroid treatment. RDL has developed a new EIA anti-Bovine Inner Ear Membrane antibody assay including 130-kd, 68-kd, 42-kd and 30-kd (P0) antibodies.

1 mL serum, ambient, refrigerated or frozen

Neurologic and/or psychiatric manifestations occur in up to 2/3 of patients with SLE. The cerebral manifestations are extremely diverse, ranging from mild depression to severe, life-threatening presentations. Studies have shown that anti-neuronal abs are more frequently found in the blood & CSF of Neuropsychiatric Lupus Erythematosus (NPLE) patients to a much greater frequency than in SLE patients without NPLE.

1 mL Serum or CSF

Autoantibodies to RNA polymerases I, II and III are specific for systemic sclerosis (Scleroderma – SSc), particularly diffuse cutaneous SSc. Clinical features associated with the presence of these autoantibodies include a high frequency of heart and kidney involvement and poor survival 5 years after the first visit.

1 mL Serum or EDTA Plasma

COMP was first described in cartilage, tendons and synovial membranes. It is well documented that when articular cartilage matrix is degraded by a disease process, protein fragments are produced and diffuse out into the joint fluid. Some of these proteins, such as COMP, subsequently appear in the blood circulation and can be used to monitor the progress of cartilage degradation in inflammatory joint diseases.

The elevated COMP level is an aid in identifying aggressive destruction of joint tissue in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. The COMP serum level is highly correlated to the severity of arthritis and also to clinical joint score and histopathological signs of cartilage erosion. COMP serum concentration can be used to assess cartilage degradation in inflammatory joint diseases and to help guide treatment decisions. Results less than or equal to 15 U/L suggest decreased risk for cartilage degradation. Results greater than 15 U/L suggest increased risk for aggressive cartilage destruction.

1 mL Serum (Minimum: 0.5 mL), ambient, refrigerated or frozen

The U3 RNP particle is thought to participate in the pre-ribosomal RNA processing. Anti-U3 RNP Abs have been shown to be highly specific for patients with SSc.

1 mL Serum or EDTA Plasma

The idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by muscle weakness resulting from chronic muscle inflammation of unknown cause. Patients with IIM have a variety of autoantibodies with various clinical utilities. One group of these autoantibodies, which is found only in patients with myositis, is known as myositis specific autoantibodies (MSA). The myositis antibodies have been shown to be highly specific for patients with polymyositis, dermatomyositis and overlap.

1 mL Serum or EDTA Plasma

The idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by muscle weakness resulting from chronic muscle inflammation of unknown cause. Patients with IIM have a variety of autoantibodies with various clinical utilities. One group of these autoantibodies which is found only in patients with myositis, is known as myositis specific autoantibodies (MSA). The myositis antibodies have been shown to be highly specific for patients with polymyositis, dermatomyositis and overlap.

The Myositis Ab Panel is performed with in-house bioassays which will be labeled as “analytic specific reagents” (ASR).

3 mL Serum, ambient, refrigerated or frozen. (EDTA plasma can be used)

Mi-2, PL-7, PL-12, EJ, OJ, Ku, U2 snRNP

The idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by muscle weakness resulting from chronic muscle inflammation of unknown cause. Patients with IIM have a variety of autoantibodies with various clinical utilities. One group of these autoantibodies which is found only in patients with myositis, is known as myositis specific autoantibodies (MSA). The myositis antibodies have been shown to be highly specific for patients with polymyositis, dermatomyositis and overlap.

The Myositis Ab Panel is performed with in-house bioassays which will be labeled as “analytic specific reagents” (ASR).

3 mL Serum , ambient, refrigerated or frozen. (EDTA plasma can be used)

Mi-2, PL-12, PL-7, EJ, OJ, Ku, U2 snRNP, PM/Scl (ID) and Jo-1 (ID)

The Th/To Ab is present in 10-19% of patients with Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Scleroderma (SSc) and in 3% of patients with primary Raynaud’s Disease. It has been shown to be highly specific for patients with SSc.

1 mL Serum or EDTA Plasma

Vitamin D originates from dietary and endogenous sources and is converted to 25-hydroxy Vitamin D in the liver. Serum concentration of 25-hydroxy Vitamin D is the most reliable measure of overall Vitamin D status. The result can rule out Vitamin D deficiency as the cause of bone disease. Deficien­cies of 25-hydroxy Vitamin D may be secondary to dietary deficiency, malabsorption, liver disorder or nephrotic syndrome. Elevated concentrations may be observed with excessive intake of the vitamin, or food rich in Vitamin D.

1 mL Serum (Minimum: 0.5 mL), ambient, refrigerated or frozen

9.2 - 60.0 Ng/mL