[Anti-MI-2 antibody as a specific marker of dermatomyositis].

Anti-Mi-2 antibody directed against the protein complex of unknown function is considered an immunological marker of dermatomyositis. We detected this antibody in 7 among 72 patients, whose sera were investigated for the presence of myositis specific autoantibodies with the use of indirect immunofluorescence and double immunodiffusion. Six patients had dermatomyositis, and 1 had unclassified collagenosis. Detection of anti-Mi-2 antibody is very important for diagnosis because of its high specificity, and also for prognosis and therapy.