ANTI-MYOCARDIAL ANTIBODIES

CLINICAL UTILITY:

Antibodies directed against myocardial tissue are found in a patient's serum following cardiac trauma, surgery, myocarditis, or myocardial infarction. Anti-myocardial antibodies also are seen in one third of patients with acute rheumatic fever, in some patients with non-rheumatic streptococcal infections, and occasionally in patients with acute glomerulonephritis. In the case of myocardial infarction and trauma, antibodies form to the cardiac antigen released into the serum. Following Group A beta hemolytic streptococcal infections, antibodies directed against the streptococcus bacteria cross-react with antigenic determinants on cardiac tissue.

METHOD DESCRIPTION:

Indirect immunofluorescence is the method used to detect anti-myocardial antibodies. Sections of rat heart tissue are used as substrate.

REFERENCE RANGE:

Negative. Low titers (1:2) may appear in a small percentage (<4%) of the normal population.

SPECIMEN REQUIREMENTS:

0.5 ml serum. Freeze.