Parietal Cell Antibodies
Gastric parietal cell antibodies are present in approximately 50% of patients with pernicious anemia. These antibodies are not disease specific, because they are also detectable in 30 to 60% of patients with chronic atrophic gastritis, 20% with gastric ulcers, 30% with Sjogren’s syndrome, 30% of first degree relatives of patients with pernicious anemia, and 7% of healthy adults.
Reference value is negative. Positive results are titered.
Specimen requirement is one SST tube of blood.
