Histone Antibody
- Also Known As:
- Histone Autoantibodies
- Formal Name:
- Antihistone Antibody

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At a Glance
Why Get Tested?
To help in the diagnosis and monitoring of drug-induced lupus
When To Get Tested?
When you have symptoms associated with lupus that may be due to a drug that you are taking
Sample Required?
A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm
Test Preparation Needed?
None
You may be able to find your test results on your laboratory’s website or patient portal. However, you are currently at Testing.com. You may have been directed here by your lab’s website in order to provide you with background information about the test(s) you had performed. You will need to return to your lab’s website or portal, or contact your healthcare practitioner in order to obtain your test results.
Testing.com is an award-winning patient education website offering information on laboratory tests. The content on the site, which has been reviewed by laboratory scientists and other medical professionals, provides general explanations of what results might mean for each test listed on the site, such as what a high or low value might suggest to your healthcare practitioner about your health or medical condition.
The reference ranges for your tests can be found on your laboratory report. They are typically found to the right of your results.
If you do not have your lab report, consult your healthcare provider or the laboratory that performed the test(s) to obtain the reference range.
Laboratory test results are not meaningful by themselves. Their meaning comes from comparison to reference ranges. Reference ranges are the values expected for a healthy person. They are sometimes called “normal” values. By comparing your test results with reference values, you and your healthcare provider can see if any of your test results fall outside the range of expected values. Values that are outside expected ranges can provide clues to help identify possible conditions or diseases.
While accuracy of laboratory testing has significantly evolved over the past few decades, some lab-to-lab variability can occur due to differences in testing equipment, chemical reagents, and techniques. This is a reason why so few reference ranges are provided on this site. It is important to know that you must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are “within normal limits.”
For more information, please read the article Reference Ranges and What They Mean.
What is being tested?
Histone antibodies are autoantibodies. These are antibodies produced by a person’s own immune system that target his or her own histones. Histones are proteins that are a part of chromatin, the genetic material present in the nucleus of almost all cells within the body. Because histones are found inside cells, this attack on “self” can cause symptoms throughout the body. This test detects the presence of histone antibodies in the blood.
Histone autoantibodies are one of several types of antinuclear antibodies (ANA). ANA are associated with a variety of autoimmune disorders. The presence or absence of specific antinuclear antibodies is used to help determine which disorder a person may have.
Drugs can stimulate the production of histone antibodies in some people and can cause a type of lupus called drug-induced lupus erythematosus. Up to 95% of those with drug-induced lupus will have histone antibodies. The autoantibodies may also develop in up to 50% of those with non-drug-induced lupus and in 20% of those with other connective tissue diseases.
Many drugs have been associated with drug-induced lupus in some people. Some of the more common examples include:
- Hydralazine
- Isoniazid
- Minocycline
- Penicillamine
- Procainamide
- Quinidine
Other types of medications associated with drug-induced lupus include:
- Antibiotics
- Anti-seizure medications
- Anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents
- Interferon-alpha
- Blood pressure medications
- Methyldopa
- Thyroid medications
Common Questions
View Sources
Sources Used in Current Review
(Updated: Jun 30, 2017) Kauffman C, Drug-Induced Lupus Erythematosus Medscape Reference. Available online at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1065086-overview Accessed May 2018.
(Updated 2011 June 28). Teitel, A. Drug-induced lupus erythematosus. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Available online at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000446.htm Accessed May 2018.
(© 2018). Histone Autoantibodies, Serum. Mayo Clinic Mayo Medical Laboratories. Available online at http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Overview/80944. Accessed May 2018.
(October 6, 207) Ho C; Chauhan, K Lupus Erythematosus, Drug-Induced, StatPearls https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441889/ Accessed May 2018.
Maidhof, W. and Hilas, O. (2012 April). Lupus: An Overview of the Disease And Management Options. P T. 2012 April; v 37(4): 240-246, 249. [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3351863/ Accessed May 2018.
Sources Used in Previous Reviews
Camacho, I. et. al. (Updated 2012 January 27). Drug-Induced Lupus Erythematosus. Medscape Reference [On-line information]. Available online at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1065086-overview. Accessed September 2013.
Teitel, A. (Updated 2011 June 28). Drug-induced lupus erythematosus. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000446.htm. Accessed September 2013.
(© 1995 – 2013). Histone Autoantibodies, Serum. Mayo Clinic Mayo Medical Laboratories [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Overview/80944. Accessed September 2013 .
(© 2013). Laboratory Tests for Lupus. Lupus Foundation of America [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_learndiagnosing.aspx?articleid=2242&zoneid=524. Accessed September 2013.
(2013 May). Handout on Health: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Lupus/default.asp. Accessed September 2013.
Camilla Dalle Vedove, C. et. al. (2012 December). Drug-induced lupus erythematosus with emphasis on skin manifestations and the role of anti-TNFα agents. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges v 10 (12): 889–897. [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3561694/. Accessed September 2013.
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