Anti-Endomysial Antibody (EMA) Test
Anti-Endomysial Antibody (EMA) Test Kits
Anti-Endomysial Antibodies are highly specific markers for celiac disease (CD) detection, targeting the endomysium of smooth muscle tissues. These IgA-class antibodies demonstrate exceptional specificity (>99%) for celiac disease diagnosis in pediatric populations.
Key Points:
- Sensitivity: 85-98% in untreated celiac disease
- Specificity: >99% for celiac disease
- Primary diagnostic tool for celiac disease screening
- Particularly effective in pediatric populations
- Used in conjunction with tissue transglutaminase (tTG) antibodies
Primary Indications
- Initial screening for celiac disease
- Monitoring dietary compliance
- Risk assessment in first-degree relatives
- Evaluation of atypical presentations
Clinical Scenarios
- Chronic diarrhea investigation
- Growth failure assessment
- Unexplained iron-deficiency anemia
- Type 1 diabetes screening
- Autoimmune thyroid disease workup
Testing Procedure
- Sample Collection:
- Serum separation within 2 hours
- Minimum volume: 2mL
- Storage at 2-8°C for up to 48 hours
- Testing Methods:
- Indirect immunofluorescence (IIF)
- Substrate: monkey esophagus sections
- Detection of IgA antibodies
Result Analysis
- Positive Results:
- Honeycomb pattern on immunofluorescence
- Titers ≥1:5 considered significant
- Strong correlation with villous atrophy
- Negative Results:
- Absence of specific fluorescence
- May need IgA levels confirmation
Clinical Correlation
- Positive predictive value >95%
- Negative predictive value >90%
- Results influenced by gluten intake
- Age-dependent sensitivity variations
Important Considerations
- False Negatives:
- IgA deficiency (2-3% of celiac patients)
- Age <2 years
- Gluten-free diet implementation
- Immunosuppressive therapy
- Technical Limitations:
- Operator-dependent interpretation
- Requires specialized laboratory facilities
- Higher cost compared to tTG testing
