Automated ANA assays are also commercially available. These methods are convenient because they are automated. Previously they were reported to lack the broad range of antigens that are present in the slide-based assays. This limited range of antigens results in false-negative results for some samples that contain clinically significant ANAs. Position papers from such organizations as the American College of Rheumatology and the College of American Pathologists have called into question the accuracy of these automated ANA assays and recommend against using them as ANA screens. They further suggest that laboratories should inform clinicians what method was used for testing so the clinicians can better interpret the results.
More recently, however, studies show that the results are more encompassing and accurate. A 2018 article in Autommunity Highlights describes very close correlation with manual methods.1 Some automated systems will flag results that are difficult to interpret, and then the medical laboratory scientist will review the questionable results.
1. van Beers, J.J.B.C., Hahn, M., Fraune, J. et al. Performance analysis of automated evaluation of antinuclear antibody indirect immunofluorescent tests in a routine setting. Autoimmunity Highlights 9, 8 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13317-018-0108-y
