What Diseases Test Positive for ANA?
Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) target normal proteins within cells, causing cell destruction and damaging healthy body tissues. The ANA blood test reveals the presence of antinuclear antibodies in the blood. While a positive ANA does not always indicate the presence of disease, several diseases cause positive ANA test results and cause similar symptoms. Lupus Lupus causes pain, inflammation and damage to the organs. This condition affects the skin, kidneys, joints and other parts of the body. People with lupus experience periods of severe symptoms (flares), followed by remission from those symptoms. The American Association for Clinical Chemistry reports that the homogeneous and outline antinuclear antibody patterns indicate the presence of lupus. Scleroderma Scleroderma causes the hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues. This condition occurs when the body produces too much collagen. Scleroderma can cause scarring of the lungs, kidneys and heart tissue, increasing th
