Autoimmune Liver Disease Profile (AMA, SLA, M2, LKM & LC1) Serum

Patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) may have various autoantibodies in their circulation. AIH is subdivided into types based on disease severity, progression, and serological findings. Anti-LKM-1 antibodies are associated with type 2 AIH which is further subdivided into type 2a, mainly found in young females who are HCV seronegative, and type 2b, mainly found in males in association with HCV infection. Type 2 AIH progresses to cirrhosis more rapidly than does type 1 AIH. Liver cytosol 1 (LC1) antibodies partially overlaps with LKM-1, however, LC1 antibodies have been proposed as markers of ‘true’ AIH type 2 since they are unrelated to HCV infection. Anti soluble liver antigen (SLA) antibodies are specific for type 3 and are also seen in type 1 and type 2 AIH. Anti SLA are associated with a more severe disease course.

Anti mitochondrial antibody (AMA) has a sensitivity of 84 to 95% in the diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). However, AMA can also be present in the serum of patients with syphilis, myocarditis and drug - induced hepatitis. But, since the auto-antigen in PBC is localised to the inner mitochondrial membrane (M2), testing for M2 antibodies greatly increases the specificity in diagnosis. 96% of PBC patients have M2 antibodies. Type 1 AIH is associated with ASMA or ANA seropositivity; hypergammaglobulinemia; concurrent immunologic disorders and responsiveness to corticosteroid therapy. The autoimmune liver disease profile is used in the differential diagnosis of AIH and its typing; different AIH types have varying degrees of severity, progression and outcome.

1 ml Serum Stability: 14 Days at 2-8 °C

AMA Abs: Negative SLA Abs: Negative LC1 Abs: Negative LKM-1 Abs: Negative M2 Abs: Negative