Laboratory Medicine
Test Directory / Anti-Histone Antibody
Anti-Histone Antibody
Brown clotted serum, gel barrier
| Test | Anti-Histone Antibody |
|---|---|
| Common Abbreviations | AHIST |
| Profile | N/A |
| Clinical Indication | Histones are basic proteins which bind to DNA within the nuclei of cells. Anti-histone antibodies are found in patients with SLE and patients with DIL. In SLE, anti-histone antibodies do not provide any better diagnostic information than DNA and anti-nuclear antibodies but in drug induced lupus, a typical antibody profile consists of anti-nuclear antibodies, anti-histone antibodies but rarely dsDNA antibodies and extractable nuclear antibodies. Drugs implicated in DIL include hydralazine, procainamide and isoniazid. |
| Specimen Type | Blood |
| Sample Type | Serum |
| Minimum Volume | 2 mL |
| Special Precautions | No special requirements |
| Stability | Contact Referral Laboratory |
| Turnaround Time | 3 weeks |
| Laboratory | Immunology Department, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield |
| Reference Interval | Contact Referral Laboratory |
| Limitations | Contact Referral Laboratory |
