A sensitive and reproducible method for the assay of human islet cell antibodies.
The islet cell antibody test is increasingly used to predict insulin-dependent diabetes before it is clinically apparent. Four international workshops on the test have shown wide variations in reproducibility, sensitivity and specificity. This illustrates the need for a more clearly defined method. We report a technique which offers both increased sensitivity and reproducibility. Using this method 94% of newly diagnosed diabetic children have ICA levels greater than or equal to 10 international units, whereas only 1.5% of normal children are positive at his level, and 7% of first degree relatives (aged less than 20 years) of IDDM patients.
Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
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Pilcher
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Elliott
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D001323:Autoantibodies; C024211:islet cell antibody