anti-adrenal antibody

Etiology: - autoimmune adrenalitis - idiopathic Addison's disease Pathology: - in autoimmune adrenalitis, anti-adrenal antibodies are of the IgG class & are directed against adrenocortical microsomes - the test is used as a marker for idiopathic Addison's disease - 50% of patients will have positive titers. - adrenal autoantibodies are not seen with adrenal tumors, Cushing's disease, virilizing adrenal hyperplasia, or tuberculosis of the adrenal gland - patients with autoimmune adrenalitis have a higher incidence of other organ-specific autoimmune diseases including: a) Grave's disease b) Hashimoto's thyroiditis c) insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus d) pernicious anemia e) ovarian failure Laboratory: - adrenal antibody in serum

Related

adrenal (suprarenal) gland adrenal antibody in serum

References

Clinical Guide to Laboratory Tests, 3rd ed. Teitz ed., W.B. Saunders, 1995