Antimitochondrial antibodies

Under antimitochondrial antibody (AMA) of a patient is understood as detectable serum autoantibodies against mitochondria . In the laboratory, it is usually detected using indirect immunofluorescence tests as a search test. As a rule, organ sections from the rat are used (e.g. liver, stomach, kidney). Confirmatory tests are immunoblots or ELISAs that use certain subtypes of AMA as specific antigens . The M2 subtype in particular is of high diagnostic relevance.

The result of an examination for AMA is often given in the form of a titer . Titers up to 1:10 are generally considered normal.

AMA of the M2 subtype is mainly found in primary biliary cholangitis (specificity approx. 95%). Furthermore, AMA are occasionally detected in autoimmune hepatitis , systemic scleroderma , polymyositis and CREST syndrome , and rarely in antiphospholipid syndrome , autoimmune diseases of the thyroid gland and lupus erythematosus .

The examination for AMA is useful if there is a specific suspicion of primary biliary cholangitis or in the case of an unclear liver disease in which an autoimmune disease is the possible cause.

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !