Importance of detection of ss‐a/ro autoantibody in screening immunofluorescence tests for autoantibodies to nuclear antigens

SS‐A/Ro autoantibodies are related to Sjögren's syndrome and to several clinical subsets of lupus erythematosus. The most widely used laboratory procedure for ANA screening is the indirect immunofluorescence test (IF‐ANA); the laboratory detection of anti‐SS‐A/Ro requires implementation and adherence to several technical and quality assurance recommendations. Using appropriate substrate cells containing the SS‐A/Ro antigen, many so‐called “ANA‐negative” lupus erythematosus patients will demonstrate a positive IF‐ANA.