DNA antibodies detected by microhemagglutination test in the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus.

A method of tanned erythrocyte agglutination of wide applicability is described for the study of DNA antibodies. The practical aspects of the method have been explored in estimation of antibodies to DNA in human cases of systemic lupus erythematosus, discoid lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, other collagenoses and not related diseases. This method was found to be of high sensitivity and specificity, detecting DNA antibodies only in sera of systemic lupus erythematosus. Results were compared with those obtained by immunofluorescence test using rat liver hepatocytes as source of nuclei.