Deficiencies in anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody measurement in myasthenia gravis.
In a retrospective case note study of 86 patients with myasthenia gravis, 60 had an anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody assay performed by the regional immunology laboratory. Antibody was detected in 38% which compares with 66-93% in other series. Whilst the use of staphylococcal protein A to precipitate the antibody-receptor complex, rather than anti-human immunoglobulin, may be partly responsible for this low sensitivity, other methodological problems are likely to exist. It is suggested that this potentially critical assay becomes a subject for regular audit.
Clarke
C E
CE
Department of Neurology, North Manchester General Hospital, UK.
Shepherd
D I
DI
Yuill
G M
GM
Smaje
J C
JC
Wilson
P B
PB
D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000592:standards*; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000276:immunology; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000276:immunology*; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000276:immunology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013205:Staphylococcal Protein A / Q000276:immunology
D001323:Autoantibodies; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D013205:Staphylococcal Protein A