
Lupus erythematosus (LE) cell testing was once performed to diagnose systemic lupus erythematous but has been replaced for this purpose by antinuclear antibody testing.
Negative findings on LE cell testing exclude a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
The presence of LE cells indicates lupus.
A smear is considered positive when 10 or more characteristic LE cells are seen during a 15-minute search, associated with the presence of extracellular, amorphous, nuclear masses.