Which ANA pattern is most associated with anti-Sm antibodies?

Which ANA pattern is most associated with anti-Sm antibodies?

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

Answer: (C)

The ANA pattern most linked to anti-Smith antibodies is the speckled pattern. Speckled staining reflects antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens, which include Sm. Anti-Sm is highly specific for SLE and tends to produce a speckled nuclear pattern on ANA screening. In contrast, homogeneous or peripheral (rim) patterns are more often associated with antibodies to dsDNA or histones, and the centromere pattern points to anticentromere antibodies seen in CREST syndrome. So the speckled pattern best fits anti-Sm.

The ANA pattern most linked to anti-Smith antibodies is the speckled pattern. Speckled staining reflects antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens, which include Sm. Anti-Sm is highly specific for SLE and tends to produce a speckled nuclear pattern on ANA screening. In contrast, homogeneous or peripheral (rim) patterns are more often associated with antibodies to dsDNA or histones, and the centromere pattern points to anticentromere antibodies seen in CREST syndrome. So the speckled pattern best fits anti-Sm.