4117 – AKLIDES® AMA

The AKLIDES® AMA is an immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for the qualitative determination of IgG antibodies in human serum against mitochondrial antigens on tissue sections of rat kidney. The AKLIDES® AMA is intended as an aid in the diagnosis of diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) in conjunction with other clinical and laboratory findings.

Disorder of the cellular and/or humoral immunological reaction lead to autoimmune diseases. These reactions are directed against the body cells itself and thereby cause various diseases. Anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA) predominantly react with the inner membrane of the mitochondria (rich in phospholipids). AMA mostly appear with diseases such as primary biliary cirrhosis, pseudo-LE syndrome and various forms of chronic aggressive hepatitis. High titre AMA results are mainly found with non-suppurating gallbladder infections or primary biliary cirrhosis (positive results at about 90%). In these cases, antibodies appear before the clinical symptoms and will hardly be influenced by therapy during the course of the disease. Low antibody titres are observed with scleroderma, Sjögren syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.

Mitochondria are components of different cells; detection of AMA by indirect immunofluorescence is therefore possible on several tissues. Rat kidney is used as reference substrate showing a characteristic pattern: a fine granular fluorescence in the cytoplasm of the kidney tubules. Distal tubules have a higher content of mitochondria and therefore display a more intensive fluorescence pattern in contrast to the proximal tubules.

The IFA (indirect immunofluorescence assay) is an immunoassay for the determination of specific antibodies. Tissue sections or cells containing the antigen of interest are immobilized on slides. If specific antibodies are present in the patient´s sample, they bind to the antigen in the tissue. A secondary antibody conjugated with fluorescein-isothiocyanat (FITC) detects the generated immune complex. The slides are examined using a fluorescence microscope. A specific fluorescent staining pattern demonstrates the presence of specific antibodies in the patient´s sample.

The immunoassay is designed for manual processing and automated imaging using the AKLIDES® or akiron® system.

Worldwide first and fully automated system, AKLIDES® digital fluorescence microscope is used for the standardized imaging and data processing in immunofluorescence tests on glass slides. Controlled by the AKLIDES® Software, the AKLIDES® system has the ability to produce valid standardized analyses and to document immunofluorescence assays electronically to augment daily laboratory routine in the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases.

The immunoassay is designed for professional in vitro diagnostic use.