Which ANA pattern is associated with anti-centromere antibodies?

Which ANA pattern is associated with anti-centromere antibodies?

• A. Homogenous
• B. Peripheral
• C. Speckled
• D. Centromere

Answer: (D)

ANA testing uses staining patterns to point to specific autoantibodies. The centromere pattern appears as discrete speckles at the centromeric regions within the nucleus and is the hallmark of anti-centromere antibodies. This pattern is strongly linked to limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (CREST). Other patterns map to different antibodies—homogeneous usually indicates antibodies to double-stranded DNA or histones, peripheral (rim) is often seen with dsDNA, and speckled can be produced by several antibodies (like Sm, RNP, SSA/SSB) and isn’t specific for anti-centromere.

ANA testing uses staining patterns to point to specific autoantibodies. The centromere pattern appears as discrete speckles at the centromeric regions within the nucleus and is the hallmark of anti-centromere antibodies. This pattern is strongly linked to limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (CREST). Other patterns map to different antibodies—homogeneous usually indicates antibodies to double-stranded DNA or histones, peripheral (rim) is often seen with dsDNA, and speckled can be produced by several antibodies (like Sm, RNP, SSA/SSB) and isn’t specific for anti-centromere.