Detection of anti-acetylcholine antibodies in myasthenic patients.
Antibodies, directed against an acetylcholine (ACh) conjugate, were found in the sera of myasthenic patients by using a modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Binding of sera from control patients to the conjugate was extremely low. From competition experiments, done with compounds close to ACh, a good antibody specificity for the ACh conjugate was demonstrated in the sera of myasthenic patients. Laboratory tests will be done to help a more precise diagnostic of the disease to be given. These results may also be of value in further understanding of the process of the disease itself.
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000276:immunology*; D000328:Adult; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000276:immunology*; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000276:immunology
D001323:Autoantibodies; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D000109:Acetylcholine