Determination of anti-endomysium IgA antibodies in the diagnosis of celiac disease: comparison of a novel ELISA-based assay with conventional immunofluorescence.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the novel anti-endomysium (anti-EMA) detection based on ELISA.


METHODS
Anti-EMA IgA was measured by a novel ELISA in 196 patients with gastrointestinal symptoms and suspected mal-absorption. Data were compared with those obtained by the conventional IF test.


RESULTS
A good concordance of 98% was found between these two assays. In sera of 161 patients (82%) both assays tested negative whereas in sera of 31 patients (16%) both assays tested positive for the presence of anti-EMA antibodies. Discrepancies between EMA-ELISA and EMA-immunofluorescence (IF) were found in only 4 patients (2%).


CONCLUSIONS
This ELISA can replace IF for the detection of anti-EMA antibodies and provide clinicians with an excellent tool to screen for celiac disease in patients with gastrointestinal complaints.
Poland
Dennis C W
DC
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, L2-56, Diaconessenhuis, 2300RC Leiden, Netherlands. d.c.w.poland@lumc.nl
Ceelie
Huib
H
Dinkelaar
Rob B
RB
Beijer
Cornelis
C
D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000276:immunology; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry / Q000379:methods; D012155:Reticulin / Q000276:immunology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D012155:Reticulin