ANTIGLIADIN ANTIBODY MEASUREMENT BY CHEMILUMINESCENCE ELISA IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF CELIAC-DISEASE

Aims-To develop a chemiluminescence enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of circulating gliadin antibodies in the dia gnosis of coeliac disease. To compare this method for linearity and se nsitivity with an established colorimetric method. Methods-Three sets of age and sex matched patient groups were studied: normal controls (p atients with no clinical signs of intestinal disorders); gastrointesti nal controls (patients with a known gastrointestinal disorder other th an coeliac disease); and patients in whom suspected coeliac disease ha d been confirmed by positive jejunal biopsy. IgG antigliadin antibody (IgG-AGA) and IgA antigliadin antibody (IgA-AGA) titres were determine d. Results-Comparison of the colorimetric and chemiluminescence method s showed close correlation of measured antibody levels for both contro l patient groups. In the coeliac patients correlation of antibody leve ls measured by both methods was not possible because the colorimetric assay is limited by the spectrophotometer's limits of detection. This problem was overcome by the chemiluminescence method which was linear over a greater range and to far higher values. Conclusions-The chemilu minescence ELISA performs as well as the colorimetric assay at low and average antibody levels and has the advantage of also giving a numeri cal value to higher antibody titres. The method was accurate and repro ducible in confirming the diagnosis of coeliac disease in patients wit h positive jejunal biopsy and was capable of monitoring progress of th e disease.