What is Anti SS-B Antibody test?

An anti-SS-B antibody test determines the presence of LA/SSB antibodies in your bloodstream. 

LA/SSB antibodies are a type of autoantibodies that are formed against certain ribonucleic acid (RNA) proteins in the body. These are mainly observed in autoimmune disorders such as Sjögren's syndromes and lupus erythematosus.

Whenever a foreign agent (such as bacteria or virus) or toxin enters the body, our immune system produces a special protein/antibody to destroy them. However, sometimes our body mistakenly starts to produce antibodies against healthy tissues (autoantibodies), leading to autoimmune diseases. The autoantibodies produced in Sjögren's syndrome attack the glands that produce moisture such as the tear and salivary glands.

The following are the two types of Sjögren's syndrome: 

  • Primary syndrome: It occurs on its own and affects middle-aged women. 
  • Secondary syndrome: It occurs along with another autoimmune disorder like rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Almost 60% of individuals with Sjögren's syndrome have anti-SS-B antibodies and about 15% of lupus erythematosus patients show the prevalence of these antibodies.

This test is also known as anti-Sjögren's syndromes B test or anti-SS-La antibody test. 

  1. Why is an Anti-SS-B Antibody test performed?
  2. How do you prepare for an Anti-SS-B Antibody test?
  3. How is an Anti-SS-B Antibody test performed?
  4. Anti-SS-B Antibody test results and normal range

The anti-SS-B antibody test is ordered in the following conditions:

  • To differentiate primary Sjögren's syndrome from the secondary syndrome
  • When a woman having lupus wishes to be pregnant; a baby of such a woman is at high risk of having neonatal lupus and may have temporary rashes, which could lead to congenital heart block.
  • For an individual with lupus showing negative results for anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) test.

Your healthcare practitioner may also order this test along with other diagnostic tests to detect the possibility of Sjögren's syndrome. 

Depending on the glands affected, a person with Sjögren's syndrome will show the following symptoms:

Symptoms associated with the tear glands:

Symptoms related to salivary glands:

Some other symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome are: 

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Tell your healthcare practitioner if you are consuming any prescribed, non-prescribed, or illicit medicines, vitamins and supplements.

Your healthcare practitioner will require a blood sample for the test. He/she will draw the required amount of blood from a vein in your arm and collect it in a tube labelled with your name and date of sampling. 

The whole process takes a few minutes. After the test, you may experience mild pain or bruise at the site of needle insertion; however, it will fade away on its own. 

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Normal results:

A normal test result is indicated as negative. The titre value for the normal results in all age groups is less than 1 unit antibody.

Abnormal results:

An abnormal result is indicated as positive. The titre value of equal to or more than 1 unit antibody is considered abnormal. It indicates that a person has either Sjögren's syndrome or ANA-negative SLE. However, 15% of healthy individuals may also show positive results sometimes. On the other hand, titre value may fall during the treatment for Sjögren's syndrome indicating the effectiveness of the therapy.

Higher titre value in a person with Sjögren's syndrome is usually a sign of the severity of the disease.

Some other conditions which result in abnormal results in this test are:

  • Systemic sclerosis
  • RA
  • Polymyositis
  • Extreme sun sensitivity
  • Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus

So, it is best to talk to a doctor to get the correct interpretation of your test results.

Disclaimer: All results must be clinically correlated with the patient’s complaints to make a complete and accurate diagnosis. The above information is provided from a purely educational point of view and is in no way a substitute for medical advice by a qualified doctor.

References

  1. R Rich, T Fleisher, et al. Clinical Immunology: Principles and Practice. Third edition. St. Louis, Mosby-Year Book, Inc.
  2. Wilson D, McGraw-Hill Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests, 2008. The Mc Graw Hills companies Inc., Pp:61.
  3. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases [internet]: National Institute of Health. US Department of Health and Human Services; Sjögren’s Syndrome
  4. Paul Kruszka, Robert J. O' Brian. Diagnosis and Management of Sjögren Syndrome. Am Fam Physician. 2009 Mar 15;79(6):465-470.
  5. Pagana KD, Pagana TJ, Pagana TN. Mosby’s Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference. 14th ed. Pp:95,96.
  6. Johns Hopkins Medicine [Internet]. The Johns Hopkins University, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Johns Hopkins Health System; Lupus Blood Tests
  7. Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation [Internet]. Virginia (U.S.A.); Sjogrens symptoms
  8. American College of Rheumatology [internet]. Rheumatology Research Foundation. Sjögren's Syndrome
  9. Arthritis Foundation [Internet]. Atlanta (GA). U.S.A., Sjögren’s Syndrome
  10. National Health Service [internet]. UK; Blood Tests

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