AKT-2957

AKT-2957

John, a 35-year-old Afro-Caribbean man visited his GP complaining of various symptoms. He reported feeling feverish, fatigued, and experiencing unintentional weight loss of around 2kg. He also mentioned having muscle aches and pains. John was not taking any medication.

Upon examination, all of John’s observations were normal.

The GP ordered a full blood count, and the results were as follows:

– Hb 110 g/L Male: (130 – 180)
– Platelets 160 * 109/L (150 – 400)
– WBC 4.5 * 109/L (4.0 – 11.0)
– Lymphocytes 3.0 * 109/L (1.0 – 4.5)
– Mean corpuscular volume 92 fL (76 – 98)
– Mean corpuscular haemoglobin 31 pg (27 – 32)

Ferritin 40 ng/mL (20 – 230)

The GP suspected that John may have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and ordered further blood tests.

What test, if positive, would provide the best indication that John likely has SLE?