84048 – ASMA IFA

The ASMA IFA is an immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for the qualitative and semi-quantitative determination of IgG antibodies in human serum against smooth muscle on tissue sections of rat stomach. The ASMA IFA is intended as an aid in the diagnosis of autoimmune liver diseases 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. Liver diseases such as acute and chronic hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis and other forms of liver cirrhosis are characterized by the presence of antibodies against smooth, unstriated muscles, hence a  means of diagnosis of ASMA. Additionally, ASMA supports the diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), infectious mononucleosis, breast and ovarian carcinoma and malignant melanomas. Detection of ASMA via indirect immunofluorescence assays using rat stomach is indicated by a fluorescence staining of the smooth muscle fibres in the muscularis mucosa, or in the tunica muscularis ventriculi, as well as by a fluorescence of the inter-glandular contractile febrile of the stomach mucosa.

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 professional in vitro diagnostic use.