Anti-Nucleosome Antibodies

• Avoid smoking for 30 minutes before the test.
• Take the test at least 2 hours after the last meal.
• Avoid physical and emotional stress for 1 hour before the test.

This test is recommended when systemic autoimmune diseases or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are suspected, particularly if the patient has:

• Fever of unknown origin
• Skin disorders (e.g., lupus rashes)
• Arthritis
• Pericarditis (inflammation of the heart lining)
• Epilepsy
• Signs of kidney involvement (e.g., proteinuria)
• Presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in prior tests

Interpretation of Results

Positive Result May Indicate:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (found in 80-90% of cases)
• Sjögren’s syndrome
• Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD)
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Less commonly associated with:

• Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus
• Systemic scleroderma

Clinical Importance

• Anti-nucleosome antibodies are highly specific for SLE, often detected when ANA and anti-dsDNA antibodies are present.
• They are useful in differentiating SLE from other autoimmune diseases and assessing disease activity, particularly in lupus nephritis.

This test is crucial in diagnosing and monitoring autoimmune conditions, especially lupus and related disorders.