Intrinsic factor (IF) antibody
Intrinsic factor antibodies in serum:
- positive in 50-60% of patients with pernicious anaemia
- the presence of intrinsic factor is virtually diagnostic of pernicious anaemia but negative intrinsic factor antibodies do not exclude pernicious anaemia
- gastric parietal cell antibodies are seen in 95% of cases of pernicious anaemia - note that although there is an overlap with other autoimmune diseases (and with normal individuals) a negative result makes pernicious anaemia unlikely
Reference:
- Htut TW, Thein KZ, Oo TH. Pernicious anaemia: Pathophysiology and diagnostic difficulties. J Evid Based Med. 2021 May;14(2):161-169.
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