ANA

Antinuclear antibodies

Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are autoantibodies that target components of the cell nucleus, often associated with autoimmune diseases. The presence of ANA is commonly tested in patients suspected of having conditions like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, or scleroderma. A positive ANA test indicates that the immune system is attacking the body’s own cells, but it is not specific to any single disease. The test is a screening tool, and further investigation is usually needed to diagnose specific autoimmune conditions.