ALTEX :: Alternatives to Animal Experiments

1997, Volume 1

Endomysium Antibodies Detection with Umbilical Cord Sections

Leo Izzi

Immuno Pharmacology Research S.p.A., I-Catania

SUMMARY

Anti-Endomysium antibodies (EmA) detection is the most reliable test for the diagnosis of coeliac disease. Usually monkey distal oesophagus sections are used. Tests with ELISA anti-gliadin (AGA) antibodies show that umbilical cord EmA tests can effectively substitute monkey oesophagus EmA tests.

Keywords: Coeliac disease, endomysium antibodies, gliadin antibodies, monkey oesophagus, umbilical cord