Clinical Significance:
DNA is the chemical inside our cells in the nucleus that is the ‘code for life’. The ds-DNA antibodies are the antibodies directed against this nucleic acid present within the nucleus of the cell, which is the double stranded-deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which is the genetic blueprint of the cell.
The presence of circulating antibodies to ds-DNA is highly specific to the autoimmune systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), these antibodies probably being involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. Levels of ds-DNA antibodies are found to be elevated in the majority of cases of clinically active SLE, falling during remission. Measurement of dsDNA antibodies may aid in the diagnosis of SLE and in monitoring the course of drug therapy. Persistently high levels are often associated with exacerbation of disease activity. Raised levels of dsDNA antibodies have also been detected in cases of discoid lupus erythematosus. Drug-induced lupus-like syndromes do not appear to involve dsDNA antibodies, with the possible exception of hydralazine and some anticonvulsants at a low incidence.
