NOVEL METHODS FOR AUTOANTIBODY DETECTION IN LABORATORY DIAGNOSTICS OF AUTOIMMUNE RHEUMATIC DISEASES

Autoantibodies are well-established biomarkers of autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Their detection in the routine clinical laboratory provides key information for early and differential diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of disease-activity. However, the currently existing variety of laboratory tests and methods as well as different diagnostic and clinical algorithms of autoimmune testing is the reason for lack of reproducibility and harmonization across immunological laboratories. Novel technical developments in the area of digital analysis of immunofluorescent images paved the way for the improvement of intra- and interlaboratory standardizationof test results. Additionally, digital immunofluorescence analysis enables the simultaneous multiparametric combination of cell- or tissue-based indirect immunofluorescence screening tests with confirmatory testing employing microparticles covered with purified autoantigens in one reaction environment.