Definitions for "Antinuclear antibody"
Synonym: antinuclear factor. An antibody directed at phosphate-containing fatty components of cell membranes, such as cardiolipin (see anticardiolipin antibody). Low levels are probably common and harmless; in higher levels they can cause disease, particularly during pregnancy, including thrombosis and miscarriage. See also: lupus anticoagulant
An antibody that is often positive in children with rheumatic diseases, but is falsely positive during viral illnesses and is also falsely positive in healthy people
Anti-self antibodies directed against the DNA. It is one indicator for the autoimmune disorder systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE).