[Novel autoantibodies in inflammatory myopathies and systemic sclerosis]

Acquired inflammatory myopathies and systemic sclerosis are chronic autoimmune conditions. These diseases arise from sustained activation of the innate and adaptive immune system, resulting in damage to blood vessels, muscles, connective tissues and internal organs. Auto-antibodies are found in a majority of cases, which makes the immune serology an important diagnostic tool. The immuno dot assays detect a variety of disease-specific-or-associated antibodies. A positive result should be correlated with the indirect immunofluorescence pattern of the antinuclear antibody screen. Some antibodies are associated with specific organ involvement, other may indicated an underlying neoplastic condition. The scope of this article is to review the diagnostic and prognostic value of antibodies in inflammatory myopathies and systemic sclerosis.