Medical Definition of Antinuclear antibody
1.
Antinuclear antibody is an antibody that react against components of the cell nucleus such as DNA, RNA, histone or non-histone proteins.
These antibodies are present in a variety of immunologic or autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, scleroderma, Sjogren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis, dermatomyositis and in persons taking hydralazine, procainamide or isoniazid.
A serologic measurement for antinuclear antibodies can aid in the diagnosis of unexplained arthritis, rashes or chest pains.
Acronym: ANA
(12 Jan 1998)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Antinuclear Antibody
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