OBJECTIVE: The Second Brazilian Consensus on Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) in HEp-2 Cells approved and extended the decision trees developed during the First Brazilian Consensus in order to also offer information about mixed patterns of fluorescence. METHODS: Since this test elicits reactions not only to nuclear autoimmune antigens but also to different cell compartments, new denominations for the test were approved. Results and CONCLUSIONS: These new denominations encompass variations on the "autoantibody testing against the nucleus (ANA HEp-2), nucleolus, cytoplasm, and mitotic apparatus" issue. Furthermore, major clinical associations were described for each immunofluorescent pattern, facilitating the interpretation of laboratory results in the clinical practice.
Autoantibodies; HEp-2 cells; ANA; immunofluorescence
