Centromere B Antibody
Immunity & allergy markersWhat the test generally measures, and what to ask about it.
Longetic keeps every lab and record you’ve had organized and easy to find, so your own Centromere B Antibody values sit together on one chart and you walk into your next appointment prepared.
What is Centromere B Antibody?
Antibodies targeting a centromere protein, strongly associated with limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (scleroderma).
Centromere B (CENP-B) antibodies target a protein involved in cell division and are one of the most characteristic markers of limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis, a connective tissue condition sometimes described by the acronym CREST for its associated features. This antibody typically produces a distinctive centromere pattern on ANA testing. Clinicians often order it when Raynaud's phenomenon, skin tightening, difficulty swallowing, or small dilated blood vessels on the skin raise suspicion for systemic sclerosis. A positive result supports this association but is interpreted together with the ANA pattern, other scleroderma-related antibodies, and clinical examination rather than used as a stand-alone diagnostic test.
Tests often checked alongside this
- ANA Pattern and ANA Titer — the centromere staining pattern is closely linked to this antibody
- Chromatin Antibody — helps distinguish from lupus-related patterns
- Double-Stranded DNA Antibodies (dsDNA) — another marker used to differentiate overlapping conditions
- Complement C3 and C4 — may be checked if overlap features are present
How this can show up in how you look and feel
- May be associated with Raynaud's-type color changes in fingers or toes
- May be associated with skin thickening or tightening
- May be associated with difficulty swallowing
- May be associated with joint pain or fatigue
What can affect this marker
- Age
- Sex
- Medications
- Lab variability between testing methods
What to track over time
- Whether the antibody and ANA pattern remain consistent on repeat testing
- How results correlate with skin, circulation, or swallowing symptoms over time
- Whether monitoring of related organ systems is considered over time
What to ask your doctor
- What does this result suggest about my Raynaud's or skin symptoms?
- Should I also be evaluated for systemic sclerosis more broadly?
- Is monitoring of other organ systems recommended?
- How does this fit with my overall ANA pattern and titer?
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References
About our sources
Official sources
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Clinical / professional
Medical societies, specialty colleges, and professional associations whose consensus statements reflect clinical practice standards.
Peer-reviewed research
Original research articles and systematic reviews published in indexed journals and verified through PubMed or DOI.