Antinuclear antibodies: presence and specificity in autoimmune connective tissue disease in the dog

Autoimmune connective tissue disease in both animals and humans present as multi-systemic disorders. Clinical signs referable to joints, musculoskeletal system and Dermatopathies are present. Autoantibody production is a regular feature of systemic autoimmune disease and these antibodies have diagnostic value in both human and veterinary medicine. In this study, we demonstrate that many of the commonly used diagnostic techniques developed for use with human patients may also be adapted for use in dogs. However, in some instances, 'canine specific' autoantibodies, distinct from analogous human antibodies may be detected in sera from dogs with a diagnosis of autoimmune disease. This finding indicates that dogs may develop 'dog-specific' autoimmune connective tissue disease.