Advances and pitfalls in anti-double-stranded DNA autoantibody detection and interpretation

Figure 1 Schematic representation of Crithidia luciliae showing cellular structures relevant to Crithidia luciliae immunofluorescence test interpretation. A positive Crithidia luciliae immunofluorescence test result is defined by specific fluorescence of the kinetoplast, which contains pure double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) devoid of histones. Nuclear fluorescence may be present but is not required for a positive result. Isolated nuclear fluorescence without kinetoplast staining should be interpreted as negative for anti-dsDNA antibodies and may indicate antibodies to other nuclear antigens.