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Ana --> antinuclear antibody

(Science: immunology) 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, sjogrens 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