Additional Information:
UFHPL Epic order code: LAB723
Studies have demonstrated that IgA endomysial antibody tests have >99% specificity for gluten-sensitive enteropathy.1 Recently, the endomysial antigen has been identified as the protein cross-linking enzyme known as tissue transglutaminase (tTG).2
Foootnotes
- Volta U, Molinaro N, De Franchis R, et al. Correlation between IgA antiendomysial antibodies and subtotal villous atrophy in dermatitis herpetiformis. J Clin Gastroenterol. 1992 Jun; 14(4):298-301. PubMed 1607605
- Dieterich W, Ehnis T, Bauer M, et al. Identification of tissue transglutaminase as the autoantigen of celiac disease. Nat Med. 1997 Jul; 3(7):797-801. PubMed 9212111
CPT Code(s):
28180
Specimen Requirements:
Important: Specimens should be free of bacterial contamination, hemolysis and lipemia.
Type: Serum
Container/Tube: Red-top tube or gel-barrier tube
Sample Volume: 1 mL
Minimum Volume: 0.3 mL (Repeat testing is not possible with this specimen volume.)
Storage: Refrigerate specimens after collection.
Stability (collection to time of analysis/testing):
- Ambient: 14 days
- Refrigerated: 14 days
- Frozen: 14 days
- Freeze/Thaw cycles: Stable (x3)
Rejection Criteria:
- Gross bacterial contamination
- Lipemia
- Hemolysis
Use:
This test is used to detect antibodies to aid in the diagnosis of gluten-sensitive enteropathy (GSE), such as celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis.
Limitations
A negative tTG IgA result in an untreated patient does not rule out gluten-sensitive enteropathy. This result can often be explained by selective IgA deficiency, a relatively frequent finding in celiac disease. Results of this assay should be used in conjunction with clinical findings and other serological tests.
Methodology:
Enzyme immunoassay (EIA)
Reference Values:
Reference Intervals
- Negative: 0 – 3 units/mL
- Weak-positive: 4 − 10 units/mL
- Positive: > 10 units/mL