Which statement correctly pairs autoimmune serology tests with what they detect?

• A. RF detects antibodies against heparin; ANA detects antibodies against RNA.
• B. ANA detects antinuclear antibodies; anti-dsDNA detects antibodies against double-stranded DNA.
• C. RF detects antinuclear antibodies; ANA detects antibodies against dsDNA.
• D. ANA detects antibodies against myelin; anti-dsDNA detects antibodies against ribosomal RNA.

Answer: (B)

Autoimmune serology tests are about pinpointing what specific autoantibodies are targeting. The correct pairing reflects that the screening test ANA detects antinuclear antibodies, meaning antibodies directed against nuclear components in general, not a single antigen. In contrast, anti-dsDNA is a more specific test for antibodies against double-stranded DNA, which is particularly associated with systemic lupus erythematosus and can reflect disease activity. The other statements mix up what these tests target: rheumatoid factor is an antibody against the Fc region of IgG, not heparin; antibodies against RNA or myelin or ribosomal RNA are not what ANA or anti-dsDNA are designed to detect. So this pairing accurately matches the tests to their respective targets.