Department

Immunology
Local code : ENAS

Preferred Sample Type

ENA antibody screen

Suitable Specimen Types

  • Serum
5-10 mL of serum

Sample Processing in Laboratory

Stored in laboratory at 4 C

Turnaround Time

5 days

Sample Stability

Stored in laboratory at 4 C

ENA antibody screen

General Information

The detection of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) has long been an important tool in the diagnosis of systemic rheumatic diseases. The antigens used in their detection are purified by the saline extraction of human or animal nuclei, this has led to them being called extractable nuclear antigens (ENA). The most commonly measured ENA specifications are anti-SS-A/Ro, anti-SS-B/La, anti-Sm D, anti-RNP anti-Jo-1 and anti-SCL-70. Individual ENA types are performed if the ENA screen is positive.

Patient Preparation

None required

Reference Range

A normal result would be Negative

Specifications

  • EQA Scheme?: Yes

The laboratories at Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital form part of the services provided by University Hospitals Birmingham and are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited to the ISO 15189:2012 standard. For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the UKAS website using the following link: https://www.ukas.com/find-an-organisation/

  • Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospital pathology laboratories are a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No.8217
  • United Kingdom Health Security Agency laboratory is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No.8213

Tests not appearing on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation currently remain outside of our scope of accreditation. However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same trained and competent staff.

For further test information, please visit the test database: http://www.heftpathology.com/frontpage/test-database.html.

Protection of personal information - Laboratory Medicine comply with the Trust Data Protection policy and have procedures in place to allow the Directorate and its employees to comply with the Data Protection act  1998 and associated best practice and guidance.

For further information contact Louise Fallon, Quality Manager, 0121 424 1235

UKAS HEFT