Diagnostic Tests for Crohn's Disease
By HospiMedica staff writers
Posted on 02 Aug 2004
Two new diagnostic tests have been developed for Crohn's disease: anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ASCA) IgA and IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Posted on 02 Aug 2004
The tests are part of a panel for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a chronic relapsing inflammatory intestinal condition. Two major forms of IBD are Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitus (UC). Because of the lack of specificity of the symptoms, the differential diagnosis is difficult. ASCA IgG in CD patients has varied from 50-80%, while ASCA IgA has varied from 30-50%.
In contrast, only 2-14% of UC patients and 1-7% of healthy controls have either IgG or IgA ASCA. A subgroup of CD patients does not have ASCA antibodies, but it is currently not known whether these patients form a clinical entity.
The tests were developed by Biofons Ltd. (Turku, Finland), an in vitro diagnostics company specializing in diagnostics for autoimmune and infectious diseases.
Related Links:
Biofons