Determination of anti-endomysium IgA antibodies in the diagnosis of celiac disease: comparison of a novel ELISA-based assay with conventional immunofluorescence.

Aim: To evaluate the novel anti-endomysium (anti-EMA) detection based on ELISA.

Methods: Anti-EMA IgA was measured by a novel ELISA in 196 patients with gastrointestinal symptoms and suspected mal-absorption. Data were compared with those obtained by the conventional IF test.

Results: A good concordance of 98% was found between these two assays. In sera of 161 patients (82%) both assays tested negative whereas in sera of 31 patients (16%) both assays tested positive for the presence of anti-EMA antibodies. Discrepancies between EMA-ELISA and EMA-immunofluorescence (IF) were found in only 4 patients (2%).

Conclusion: This ELISA can replace IF for the detection of anti-EMA antibodies and provide clinicians with an excellent tool to screen for celiac disease in patients with gastrointestinal complaints.