Serologic tests for connective tissue diseases and the primary vasculitides.

This article provides a brief historical perspective on the development of tests for antiphospholipid antibodies, antinuclear antibodies, myositis-specific antibodies, and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in the clinical laboratory. Tests presently available in most clinical laboratories that are used in the diagnosis and treatment of the connective tissue diseases and the vasculitides are discussed. Mention is made of antibodies under study in the research laboratories.