Know the basics
What is Anticentromere Antibody?
Anticentromere Antibody test is used to diagnose CREST syndrome.
Centromere is the main constriction on chromosome which divides chromosomes. During cell division, centromere mitotic mounts on mitotic spindle of centrosomes.
Centromere antibody is an antinuclear antibody. Antibodies are usually found in most patients with CREST syndrome, a variant of scleroderma. CREST syndrome is characterized by infiltration of lime syndrome, Raynaud’s phenomenon, esophageal paralysis, stiff fingers and telangiectasias. Conversely, centromere antibodies are found only in a small number of patients with sclerosis, a disease that is difficult to distinguish with CREST syndrome.
Centromere antibodies are approximately 50-90% positive in some patients of scleroderma; ACA about 82-96% present in patients with CREST syndrome. The sensitivity of this test is 95%.
Why is Anticentromere Antibody performed?
Centromere antibodies may be indicated when the patient has tested positive for antinuclear antibody test (ANA) and have one or more of symptoms related to the CREST syndrome.
These symptoms include:
- Calcification – calcium deposits under the skin;
- Raynauld phenomenon – the decline in blood flow to fingers and toes, causing fingers pale and purple;
- Esophageal dysfunction – difficulty in swallowing, heartburn and acid reflux;
- Finger fibers stiffness – the skin of the fingers, hand is tight, thick and glossy;
- Vasodi- red spots on the skin caused by capillary match.
Things to know before
What should I know before receiving Anticentromere Antibody?
There is no correlation between antibody levels with severity of CREST syndrome.
ACA may be positive in some other autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, or primary biliary fibrosis.
Typically, only those who have the symptoms of the CREST syndrome are tested ACA. However, some people may be positive for ACA before developing these symptoms and ACA can be tested in collaboration with other autoimmune diseases test.
It is important you understand the warnings and precautions before having this surgery. If you have any questions, please consult with your doctor for more information and instructions.
Know what happens
How to prepare for Anticentromere Antibody?
Before performing the test you should:
- Listen to your doctor explain perform test procedure.
- Often there is no requires fasting to carry out tests.
What happens during Anticentromere Antibody?
Doctor will collect blood into a red cap tube.
To implement the test, doctor will:
- Bandage around arm to stop bleeding.
- Disinfect the injection site with alcohol.
- Inject needle into vein. They could inject more than 1 time if necessary.
- Attach a hose to contain bleeding.
- Remove the strips of tape around the arm after getting enough blood.
- Put bandage or a cotton swab on the injection site.
- Put urgo on the injection site
What happens after Anticentromere Antibody?
You cannot feel pain when injecting. Some people may feel pain as needle piercing through skin. But when the needle is in vein and start sucking blood, the majority of people do not feel pain anymore. Doctors or nurse will take blood for the test. Your pain degree depends on skills of nurses, your venous situation and your sensitivity to pain.
After taking blood, you need to put bandage and press lightly on needle puncture to stop bleeding. You can return to normal activity after the test.
If you have any questions about the Anticentromere Antibody, please consult with your doctor to better understand your instructions.
Understand the results
What do my results mean?
Normal results
Negative (If it is positive, doctor will conduct quantitative serum).
Abnormal results
- Weak Positive: Positive result is collated according titers (1:40 to epithelial cells of people with type 2 [HEp-2], 1:20 in kidney cells).
- Average positive: found when diluting once compared with the benchmark.
- Strong positive: found when diluting twice compared to the standard.
When a positive result: CREST syndrome.
Depending on the laboratory and hospital, the normal range for Anticentromere Antibody may vary. Please discuss with your doctor any questions you may have about your test results.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
