title: Detection of Acetylcholine Receptor Blocking Antibodies by Flow Cytometry.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Detection of acetylcholine receptor (AChR) blocking antibodies through the use of a radiolabel has become standard procedure in most laboratories. Known drawbacks associated with radioassay, including cost of radioisotopes, hazards to laboratory professionals, and manufacture and disposal of radioactive materials, have prompted investigation into replacement assays. We describe here a high-throughput immunofluorescent flow cytometric assay designed for the detection of AChR blocking antibodies.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 323 serum samples were tested on both the AChR blocking radioassay and the new immunofluorescent flow cytometric assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of the results revealed a 96.9% concordance between the two assay methods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that a new immunofluorescent flow cytometric AChR blocking antibody assay is not only feasible but clinically comparable in both sensitivity (91%) and specificity (99%) compared with radioassay.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Pathology.
authors.forename: Anndorie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cromar
authors.affiliation: Departments of Pathology.
authors.forename: Bucky K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Lozier
authors.affiliation: From the ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Salt Lake City, UT Departments of Pathology.
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Haven
authors.affiliation: From the ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Salt Lake City, UT Harry.Hill@path.utah.edu.
authors.forename: Harry R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019138:Antibodies, Blocking / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D011869:Radioligand Assay; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D019138:Antibodies, Blocking; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic
keywords: AChR antibodies; Flow cytometry; Myasthenia gravis