Test/Investigation
HEp-2
Site(s) or Laboratory offering Test/Investigation
NNUH
Units
N/A
Also Known as/Frequency of Test
ANA
Indications
An anti-nuclear antibody detected by Hep2 test generates a pattern which can guide further more specific testing. Different patterns correlate with many different connective tissue diseases and non-specific low titre patterns are often seen in the context of infection, drug therapy and increasing patient age. A negative Hep2 test effectively excludes active SLE.
Comments/Precautions
Our first line ANA test is against a pool of antigens commonly associated with connective tissue disease; if this is positive we will go on to identify the individual antibody. HEp2 tests gives immunofluorescent patterns which may be used to guide further testing. A HEp2 may be reflexed from a CTD screen or a liver autoantibody profile.
Sample type
Serum
Turnaround times (TAT) Urgent/Routine/GP or OPD
1 week
Reference intervals (adult unless stated)
Negative
If UKAS Accredited Test indicate at which site
Y NNUH