Ah ANA, the wonderful test that everyone orders and then shamefully consults rheumatology because no one knows how to interpret it[0]. Almost a rite of passage in medical training now.

I jest but I think these tests are still a bit of a mystery (as in why these autoantibodies are made and what their significance is) especially as some people with high titres have no symptoms and vice versa although there is an association.

I think what parent is alluding to is that the trigger for production may be an infection, even if the damage is mediated by one’s own immune system.

[0]for a chuckle this is a humorous but accurate depiction: https://twitter.com/DGlaucomflecken/status/13719013464131174...