Self transglutaminase-based rapid coeliac disease antibody detection by a lateral flow method.
BACKGROUND
The conventional coeliac disease antibody tests require patient's sera, and are laborious and time-consuming.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a newly developed rapid whole blood test in coeliac disease antibody detection, and its suitability for office use.


METHODS
Endogenous tissue transglutaminase found in red blood cells in a whole blood fingertip or venous sample is liberated upon haemolysis and complexes with tissue transglutaminase antibodies, if present. The complexes, captured by a lateral flow system, are visualized within 5 min. Stored samples from 121 untreated, 106 treated coeliac disease patients and 107 controls were evaluated and compared with serum endomysium and tissue transglutaminase antibody tests and histology; 150 patients were prospectively tested on site in the doctor's office.


RESULTS
The rapid test showed sensitivity (96.7%) comparable with the serum endomysium and tissue transglutaminase antibody tests from stored samples; specificity was slightly lower (93.5%). When tested on site the results were concordant in 96.7% of cases compared with endomysium and tissue transglutaminase antibody results. The test recognized the disappearance of tissue transglutaminase antibodies on a gluten-free diet.


CONCLUSIONS
The self tissue transglutaminase-based rapid test can be easily carried out from a fingertip blood sample on site in the physician's office for both coeliac disease case finding and dietary monitoring purposes.
Raivio
T
T
Paediatric Research Centre, University of Tampere, Finland.
Kaukinen
K
K
Nemes
E
E
Laurila
K
K
Collin
P
P
Kovács
J B
JB
Mäki
M
M
Korponay-Szabó
I R
IR
D000293:Adolescent; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007159:Immunologic Tests / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems / Q000592:standards*; D012648:Self Care / Q000592:standards; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology
D000906:Antibodies; D011503:Transglutaminases