Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Antibodies, IgA, Serum

Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) are a specific diagnostic marker for Crohn’s disease, though their pathological role is not yet clear.

This test is useful in the differentiation of Crohn’s disease from ulcerative colitis. ASCA have been associated with distinct clinical subtypes of Crohn’s disease with significantly higher prevalence in patients with small bowel disease (with or without colonic involvement) than in patients with pure colonic disease. Sensitivity and specificity of ASCA in Crohn’s disease is between 56-60% and 88-95%, respectively. Moreover, there is evidence that the presence of ASCA, of the IgA class in particular, is associated with increased risk of early intestinal resection surgery (within three years of diagnosis). In addition, ASCA IgA levels have been found to be significantly higher in spondyloarthropathies, and more specifically in ankylosing spondylitis, than in healthy controls and patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

1 ml Serum Room Temperature

Negative: < 12.0 AU/L Equivocal: 12 - 18 AU/L Positive: > 18 AU/L