Special Precautions/Comments:

Method: Indirect Immunofluorescence (IIF). Calibration: N/A. EQA scheme: UK NEQAS scheme for General Autoimmune serology. IQC: Commercial preparation

Interferences: None known

Interpretation: Results are reported as Positive or Negative. A GPC result cannot be interpreted in the presence of a mitochondrial antibody. Test results are an aid to diagnosis and should not be considered as being diagnostic in themselves. Hence the test results should be used in conjunction with the patient’s clinical symptoms, the patient’s clinical history and any other available data, to produce an overall clinical diagnosis

Additional Information:

Indication: Pernicious anaemia and antral gastritis.

Background: The liver antibody screen utilises a composite tissue block of mouse liver, kidney and stomach to check for anti-nuclear antibodies, gastric parietal cell antibodies, anti- mitochondrial antibodies and liver kidney microsomal antibodies. Gastric parietal cell antibodies are found in 90% of patients with pernicious anaemia and are considered an appropriate sceening test [1]. They are considered the end stage of type A chronic gastritis [1]. Intrinsic factor antibodies should be used as a confirmatory test should the GPC be masked by another antibody pattern on immunofluorescence (for example, anti-mitochondrial antibodies) [1]. B12 levels are not related to the level of GPC antibodies [1]. GPC antibodies are more common in females and increase with age [1]. GPC antibodies are associated with autoimmune thyroid disease; it is reported that up to 45% of patients with autoimmune thyroiditis have GPC antibodies with the reverse association being equivalent [2]. Patients with pernicious anaemia have a higher prevalence of primary hypothyroidism and the prevalence of pernicious anaemia is increased in patients with autoimmune hypothyroidism [2]. GPC antibodies are associated with other autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes and Sjogren syndrome [1].

References: Khan S, et al. Limited value of testing for intrinsic factor antibodies with negative gastric parietal cell antibodies in pernicious anaemia. J Clin Pathol. 2009. 62. 439-441. [Ref 1] Sinclair D. Clinical and laboratory ascpects of thyroid autoantibodies. Ann Clin Biochem. 2006. 43:173-183. [Ref 2] Toh BH, Aderuccio F. Pernicious anaemia. Autoimmunity. 2004. 37(4):357-361.

See Also: LIVER ANTIBODIES; INTRINSIC FACTOR ANTIBODIES

Telephone Gateshead Lab: 0191.4456499 Option 4, Option 1