RETICULIN ANTIBODIES - serum

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Specimen: 5 mL blood in plain tube.

Method: Indirect IF.

Reference Interval: Not detected.

Application: Ancillary investigation in gluten sensitive enteropathy, Crohn’s disease and dermatitis herpetiformis.

Interpretation: Of little diagnostic value. Present in untreated gluten sensitive enteropathy (60% in children, 30% in adults), and in 25% of patients with dermatitis herpetiformis. Titres fall with gluten exclusion. Also found in Crohn’s disease and in 4% of healthy subjects.

Reference: Martin A. Am J Dis Child 1989; 143: 493-496. Unsworth DJ. Lancet 1983; 1: 874-875.

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