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Useful for:
- Investigating patients with chronic liver disease who are suspected of having Chronic Active Autoimmune Hepatitis.
Clinical Information:
- Patients with Chronic Active Autoimmune Hepatitis commonly have antibodies (usually IgG) to smooth muscle.
- The differential diagnosis of Chronic Active Autoimmune Hepatitis includes Primary Biliary Cirrhosis, Chronic Viral Hepatitis, and Alcoholic Chronic Hepatitis.
Please Note:
- All samples that are positive for Smooth Muscle Antibodies (SMAs) are titred at 1:40, 1:80 and 1:160. This is requested by the laboratory.
- A low titre (1:40) Smooth Muscle Antibody (SMA) can often be associated with increased age, infection, malignancy, Primary Biliary Cirrhosis, Chronic Viral Hepatitis, and Alcoholic Chronic Hepatitis.
- A higher titre (1:80 and 1:160) Smooth Muscle Antibody (SMA) is often associated with Chronic Active Autoimmune Hepatitis.
- As the substrate (Nova Lite Rat, Liver, Kidney, Stomach Substrate Slides) in this assay is also used for the detection of Mitochondrial Antibodies, Parietal Cell Antibodies and Liver/Kidney Microsome Antibodies, all requests for Smooth Muscle Antibodies (SMAs) also have Mitochondrial Antibodies, Parietal Cell Antibodies and Liver/Kidney Microsome Antibodies requested.
- Where External Institiutions cannot guarantee immediate delivery, samples must be centrifuged, separated and stored at 4oC. Samples can then be transported, as soon as possible, to St. James's Hospital for processing.
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