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Updated: Oct 9, 2026
Anti-Nuclear Antibody Screening Using HEp-2 Cells
Published on: June 23, 2014
[Positive rate of anti-mitochondrial antibody in Japanese corporate workers]
Abstract:
Anti-mitochondrial antibody(AMA) has been reported to be detectable in approximately 85% of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC). Therefore, a test for AMA is acceptable to be essential for diagnosing PBC. However, the positive rate in Japanese general population has not yet been determined. We tested sera from 1,145 corporate workers who took an annual health check and evaluated the liver of AMA-positive subjects. An indirect immunofluorescence method was used for screening AMA. ELISA and immunoblotting method were used for detecting anti-M2 in AMA-positive cases. AMA was detected in 5 of 1,145(0.44%) corporate workers. AMA positive rate was higher in females than in males(0.91% and 0%, respectively) and the AMA-positive people are all females over age 40. All of the AMA-positive sera are also positive for Anti-M2. Liver biopsy was performed in two AMA-positive cases and the histology was compatible with PBC in both cases.
Insights
Anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA) is crucial for diagnosing primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). This study found a 0.44% AMA positivity rate in Japanese workers, primarily in women over 40, with positive cases showing Anti-M2 antibodies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hepatology
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA) is a key biomarker for primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), present in ~85% of patients.
- Diagnostic criteria for PBC often rely on AMA testing.
- The prevalence of AMA in the general Japanese population was previously undetermined.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of AMA in a Japanese general population sample.
- To characterize AMA-positive individuals in this cohort.
- To investigate the presence of Anti-M2 antibodies and histological findings in AMA-positive subjects.
Summary:
- Sera from 1,145 corporate workers were screened for AMA using indirect immunofluorescence.
- AMA was detected in 5 individuals (0.44%), all females over 40.
- ELISA and immunoblotting confirmed Anti-M2 positivity in all AMA-positive sera; liver biopsies in two cases were consistent with PBC.
Impact:
- Establishes a baseline AMA prevalence in the Japanese general population.
- Highlights the higher prevalence in females over 40.
- Suggests that AMA screening may identify subclinical PBC cases in specific demographics.
