Evaluation of two antibodies against double-stranded DNA assays in discriminating between active and non-active systemic lupus erythematosus: Correlation between the cut-off and the specificity

  • J. Martin
  • , C. Durant
  • , M. Rimbert
  • , C. Hemont
  • , M. Hamidou
  • , M. Audrain

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate, improve and compare the performances of two anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) detection kits, differing by their affinity, in discriminating between active and non-active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Eighty-two anti-nuclear antibody positive sera (45 patients) were tested by two anti-dsDNA commercial quantitative assays (Fidis™, Farrzyme™). All the patients fulfilled at least four of the revised American College of Rheumatology criteria. SLE disease activity was assessed using a modified SLEDAI to remove anti-dsDNA descriptors. When using the manufacturers' cut-offs, no difference in the frequency of positive results was found with respect to disease activity, with Fidis™. On the contrary, with Farrzyme™, a significantly higher frequency of positive sera was found in active SLE patients. Nonetheless, poor performances were observed for both tests. With thresholds defined by ROC methodology, 212. IU/mL for Fidis™ (Se: 83.9%, Sp: 86.3%), and 68.8. IU/mL for Farrzyme (Se: 71.0%, Sp: 96.1%), a great improvement of the accuracy of the two methods was observed. Moreover, the better specificity and pLR, obtained after optimization of the Farrzyme™ test, could also be obtained with the Fidis™ assay by using a higher threshold than that obtained after optimization of the test. We concluded that when using manufacturers' cut-offs, the two assays appeared to be of poor clinical usefulness in the determination of disease activity. A great improvement was observed using higher thresholds. Moreover, a good concordance could be observed between the two assays (κ = 0.764).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)387-391
Number of pages5
JournalPathologie Biologie
Volume60
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Antibodies against double-stranded DNA
  • Laboratory tests
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Evaluation of two antibodies against double-stranded DNA assays in discriminating between active and non-active systemic lupus erythematosus: Correlation between the cut-off and the specificity'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this