Methodology: Enzyme immunoassay. Human recombinant antigen. IgG specificity.

Indications: Intrinsic factor autoantibodies are very specific and virtually diagnostic for pernicious anaemia (PA); the sensitivity of the test is only 40% - 75%. (Full blood count and vitamin B12 levels should be considered to aid diagnosis of PA and for monitoring.)

Excessive levels of circulating heterophile antibodies are know to cause erroneous results according to the manufacturer

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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