Autoimmunity laboratory

Immunofluoresence

Summary

Science

Clinical

Clinical

Several diseases can be diagnosed with the aid of indirect immunofluoresence techniques on different tissue substrates.
A diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) can be aided by identifying autoantibodies directed against DNA in cell nuclei of human epithelial cells. This test might be indicated in a patient who presented with any one of a number of systemic symptoms including rashes, kidney damage, vasculitis, photosensitivity, vasculitis and neurological problems (curriculum)

Diabetes can be diagnosed by identifying autoantibodies against the pancreatic islet cells that produce insulin in healthy people. A diabetic patient could present to their doctor with fatigue, frequent urination and increased thirst.

A doctor may suspect Primary Billiary Cirrhosis in an individual with jaundice, itchy skin and general fatigue. To assist this diagnosis he or she may ask the immunology laboratory to look for patient antibodies against mitochondrial antigens found in most cells. This would be investigated using liver and kidney tissue sections.

Myasthenia Gravis is a rare condition where the patient has progressive muscle weakness that can lead to difficulty swallowing and problems with eye coordination. Sections of striated muscle fibre are used here to identify specific autoantibodies.

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