3610 – Anti-GPC

Highlights

• Use of porcine H⁺/K⁺ ATPase
• Ready-to-use (exception: wash buffer) and barcoded reagents
• Quality assured handling in routine laboratories
• Short incubation times (60 min / 30 min / 15 min) at room temperature
• Quantitative determination of IgG antibodies
• Calibrated by use of an internal reference sample
• Results expressed in U/mL
• Excellent diagnostic sensitivity and specificity
• High precision within the measurement range
• CE marked
• Automatable

Intended Use

The Anti-GPC is a quantitative immunoassay for the determination of IgG antibodies against gastric parietal cells of the gastric mucosa (GPC) in human serum. The Anti-GPC is intended as an aid in the diagnosis of pernicious anemia and type A gastritis in conjunction with other clinical and laboratory findings. The immunoassay is designed for manual professional in vitro diagnostic use.

Diagnostic Relevance

Pernicious Anemia and Type A Gastritis

Pernicious anemia (Biermer’s disease) results from a vitamin B12 deficiency, often caused by a lack of intrinsic factor (IF). Vitamin B12 is essential for forming blood cells. Microorganisms produce vitamin B12, which we ingest through food. Proteolytic processes in the stomach release the vitamin, and parietal cells bind it to intrinsic factor. This glycoprotein protects vitamin B12 from decomposition and enables its absorption in the small intestine. Without enough intrinsic factor, the body cannot absorb sufficient vitamin B12, leading to pernicious anemia.

Type A gastritis is a chronic autoimmune disease in which antibodies against parietal cells and intrinsic factor attack the gastric mucosa. The destruction of parietal cells reduces vitamin B12 absorption. Other factors contributing to vitamin B12 deficiency include genetics, surgical removal of part of the stomach, chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa, certain medications, or an unbalanced diet.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Typical symptoms of pernicious anemia include fatigue, increased heart rate, and paleness. Indigestion and abdominal pain may also occur. Neurological signs, such as numbness in the hands and feet, unsteady gait, coordination disorders, or paralysis, often appear without anemia. Visual disturbances or polyneuropathy may also develop. Poor concentration, depression, psychoses, schizophrenia, and dementia have been reported. Pernicious anemia can progress to funicular myelosis.

Diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms and laboratory tests. To detect autoimmune causes, clinicians measure antibodies against parietal cells, H+/K+ ATPase of the stomach, and intrinsic factor. These tests, together with clinical findings, allow accurate identification of vitamin B12 deficiency.