Related Experiment Videos
The antiperinuclear factor. I. Clinical and serologic associations
P Youinou1, P Le Goff, A Dumay
1Department of Immunology, Brest University Medical School Hospital, France.
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology
|May 1, 1990
Summary
The antiperinuclear factor (APF) test is improved with a new positivity criterion. This method found APF in 76% of rheumatoid arthritis patients, suggesting a link to rheumatoid factor.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- The antiperinuclear factor (APF) test is a diagnostic tool.
- Current methods face challenges with substrate cell variability and result interpretation.
- Standardization is needed for reliable APF detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the limitations of the current antiperinuclear factor (APF) test.
- To propose a standardized criterion for APF positivity.
- To evaluate the prevalence and associations of APF in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Main Methods:
- A novel positivity threshold was established: at least 10% of cells must be stained by the serum.
- APF detection was performed on patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), healthy controls, and disease controls.
- Statistical analysis was used to assess the relationship between APF and rheumatoid factor (RF).
Main Results:
- APF was detected in 76% of RA patients, compared to 3% in healthy controls.
- A significant association (p < 0.01) was found between APF production and the presence of rheumatoid factor in RA patients.
- IgG antibodies were predominant in the APF test results.
Conclusions:
- The proposed 10% staining criterion offers a more predictable and reproducible method for APF testing.
- APF is a prevalent marker in rheumatoid arthritis and is significantly associated with rheumatoid factor.
- The APF test, particularly IgG-mediated, holds diagnostic value in rheumatology.