Recognition of the dense fine speckled (DFS) pattern remains challenging: results from an international internet-based survey

摘要

PurposeThe dense fine speckled (DFS) pattern as detected by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on HEp-2 cells has been associated with several inflammatory diseases but is most commonly observed in individuals that do not have an antinuclear antibody (ANA)-associated rheumatic disease and even in apparently healthy individuals. Consequently, the accurate identification and correct reporting of this IIF pattern is of utmost importance and accordingly has been recognized by several international study groups for the detection of ANA. Furthermore, the DFS IIF pattern has recently been recommended as a competency level recognition pattern by the International Consensus on Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) Pattern (ICAP, ) Committee. The objective of this study was to use an internet-based survey to assess how accurately the DFS IIF pattern was recognized by experienced technologists.