Which disease is characterized by the presence of anti-Smith antibodies?

The presence of anti-Smith antibodies is a hallmark characteristic of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). These antibodies are specific to SLE and are associated with the disease’s autoimmune process.

Anti-Smith antibodies target proteins within the nucleus, indicating a strong autoimmune response directed against the body’s own cellular components. Their presence is part of a broader panel of autoantibodies found in SLE, which also includes antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies, among others.

Clinically, the detection of anti-Smith antibodies is significant for diagnosing SLE and can help differentiate it from other autoimmune diseases. While other diseases mentioned in the options, such as rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and Still's disease, have their own associated autoantibodies, they do not specifically include anti-Smith antibodies, reinforcing the idea that such antibodies are uniquely tied to SLE.