What is the definition or description of: ana ifa screen?

A lab test.: Anti-nuclear antibodies (anas) are autoantibodies directed against certain parts of a cell nucleus. Anas are present in increased amounts in a variety of autoimmune diseases. An ANA test measures the pattern and amount of these autoantibodies that can attack the body's tissues as if they were foreign. An indirect fluorescent antibody (ifa) test is one that uses two antibodies for detection.

Antinuclear Antibody: An "ana" is a blood test used to screen a person for the possibility of several autoimmune diseases. It is important to remember that this is a screening test and a positive result only indicates more testing may be warranted. No blood test is perfect, and getting to a diagnosis is usually much more complex than drawing blood and looking at a number on the results report.