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Self transglutaminase-based rapid coeliac disease antibody detection by a lateral flow method
T Raivio1, K Kaukinen, E Nemes
1Paediatric Research Centre, University of Tampere, Finland.
Insights
A new rapid whole blood test accurately detects coeliac disease antibodies using fingertip samples. This quick test is suitable for physician offices, aiding in early diagnosis and monitoring gluten-free diet adherence.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
- Point-of-care diagnostics
Background:
- Conventional coeliac disease antibody tests are time-consuming and require patient serum.
- There is a need for faster, more accessible diagnostic methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a novel rapid whole blood test for coeliac disease antibody detection.
- To assess its suitability for use in a clinical office setting.
Main Methods:
- A new lateral flow test utilizes red blood cell-bound tissue transglutaminase (tTG) and patient antibodies.
- Whole blood fingertip or venous samples undergo hemolysis to release tTG for complex formation.
- Stored and prospectively collected samples were compared against established serological tests and histology.
Main Results:
- The rapid test demonstrated high sensitivity (96.7%) and good specificity (93.5%) compared to serum tests.
- On-site testing showed 96.7% concordance with established coeliac disease antibody tests.
- The test effectively monitored the decrease of tTG antibodies following a gluten-free diet.
Conclusions:
- A rapid, self-contained tissue transglutaminase antibody test using fingertip blood is effective.
- This test is suitable for on-site use in physician offices for coeliac disease screening.
- It can also serve as a tool for monitoring patient adherence to a gluten-free diet.
Background:
The conventional coeliac disease antibody tests require patient's sera, and are laborious and time-consuming.
Aim:
To evaluate a newly developed rapid whole blood test in coeliac disease antibody detection, and its suitability for office use.
Methods:
Endogenous tissue transglutaminase found in red blood cells in a whole blood fingertip or venous sample is liberated upon haemolysis and complexes with tissue transglutaminase antibodies, if present. The complexes, captured by a lateral flow system, are visualized within 5 min. Stored samples from 121 untreated, 106 treated coeliac disease patients and 107 controls were evaluated and compared with serum endomysium and tissue transglutaminase antibody tests and histology; 150 patients were prospectively tested on site in the doctor's office.
Results:
The rapid test showed sensitivity (96.7%) comparable with the serum endomysium and tissue transglutaminase antibody tests from stored samples; specificity was slightly lower (93.5%). When tested on site the results were concordant in 96.7% of cases compared with endomysium and tissue transglutaminase antibody results. The test recognized the disappearance of tissue transglutaminase antibodies on a gluten-free diet.
Conclusions:
The self tissue transglutaminase-based rapid test can be easily carried out from a fingertip blood sample on site in the physician's office for both coeliac disease case finding and dietary monitoring purposes.
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