Methodology: Immunofluorescence microscopy. Rodent tissue substrate. IgG specificity.

Indications: Antibodies to gastric parietal cells (GPC) are found in 90% of patients with pernicious anaemia (PA). GPC antibodies are also associated with autoimmune gastritis. Some individuals with GPC antibodies may remain asymptomatic, but a small proportion [of these] may go on to develop PA. There is a strong association of PA with thyroid disease (50% of patients with PA will also have anti-thyroid antibodies, while 30% of patients with thyroiditis will have GPC antibodies).

Related tests: If the screen for GPC antibodies is positive then antibodies to intrinsic factor will automatically be performed. (Full blood count and vitamin B12 levels should be considered to aid diagnosis of PA and for monitoring.)

N.B. Requests for autoantibodies should be selective and relevant to the clinical circumstances. There is rarely any merit in requesting a particular autoantibody if there is no clinical evidence of the disease(s) with which it is associated .

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