Response to ‘Are autoantibodies to RNA-polymerase III to be incorporated in routine diagnostic laboratory algorithms for systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases?’ by Jan Damoiseaux

In his letter, Jan Damoiseaux advocates testing of anti-RNA polymerase III antibodies (ARA), and also other (novel) systemic sclerosis (SSc)-associated antibodies, only for those patients who are really suspected for SSc.1 Damoiseaux argues that there is a necessity to provide clinical information together with the request for testing for rheumatic systemic autoimmune diseases. We very much agree that testing for SSc-associated antibodies should only be requested for those people who really are suspected to have SSc. We feel that a correct request of testing for these autoantibodies is, first and foremost, a responsibility of the requestor, that is, the rheumatologist. However, immunologists and rheumatologists almost certainly can learn from each other in optimising requests for antibody …