A new recombinant designer antigen for autoantibody diagnostics in patients with bullous pemphigoid has been developed in a collaboration involving a substantial contribution from EUROIMMUN researchers. The new protein is much better suited for diagnostic purposes than the natural version. From the huge BP180 molecule it contains only the pathogenetically relevant target structure – the NC16A domain, and this as a tetramer (NC16A-4X*). On the basis of this antigenic work of art an extremely efficient ELISA test system has been developed, which exhibits a sensitivity of 90% (!) (specificity 98%!) and detects 100% of patients with gestational pemphigoid. If autoantibodies against BP230 are additionally determined, 93% of patients with bullous pemphigoid can be identified serologically.

Recombinant immunofluorescence test for determination of antibodies against glutamate receptors

Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis is a severe encephalopathic autoimmune disease, which affects mainly young women with ovarian teratoma, but also women without tumours, men and children. First described in 2007, it is a currently still widely underdiagnosed disease entity (J. Dalmau et al., 2008, Lancet Neurol 7(12): 1091-1098).

An innovative, reliable, rapid and cost-effective microarray test for the diagnosis of Bechterew's disease

The determination of the HLA-B27 allele, which is present in over 90% of patients with Bechterew's disease, but is only found in 6% – 9% of the normal population, plays a key role in the diagnosis of spondylarthritides. Test systems for the determination of this genetic marker should detect all HLA-B27 subtypes, but also indicate the presence of non-disease relevant HLA-B27 subtypes.

A line blot using recombinant and native authentic Borrelia antigens. Broad antigen spectrum. A new alternative!

The Highest Specificity, more Sensitive than the Farr Assay

A New Milestone in the Serological Diagnosis of Coeliac Disease