DNA-antibodies in sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

DNA-antibody determinations using the Farr technique and LE cell tests were performed on single serum samples from 55 patients with SLE according to well defined criteria. It was found that the DNA-antibody test was just as sensitive as the LE cell test, and studies of sera from patients with questionable SLE, discoid LE, other connective-tissue diseases, psoriasis, and from healthy persons, indicated that the DNA-antibody test is highly specific for SLE. Neither the DNA-antibody test nor the LE cell test could discriminate between SLE patients with active and inactive disease as estimated by clinical criteria or by the serum concentrations of complement C3 and C4.