Anti-dsDNA antibodies: their role in the detection and monitoring of SLE

Although systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a relatively common autoimmunity disorder, the broad range of associated clinical symptoms means that its diagnosis can be difficult. The detection of autoantibodies to dsDNA is one key laboratory criterion for the diagnosis of SLE. This article reviews the autoantibodies associated with SLE and discusses the pros and cons of current methods for the assay of anti-dsDNA antibodies. A newly developed ELISA method for the detection of high avidity antibodies may be particularly useful in the laboratory diagnosis of SLE.