Home
HelpTest ID LKM Liver/Kidney Microsome Type 1 Antibodies, Serum
Useful For
Evaluation of patients with liver disease of unknown etiology
Evaluation of patients with suspected autoimmune hepatitis
Method Name
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
Reporting Name
Liver/Kidney Microsome Type 1 Ab, SSpecimen Type
SerumContainer/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.4 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 21 days |
| Frozen | 21 days |
Clinical Information
Autoimmune liver disease (eg, autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis) is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies including smooth muscle antibodies (SMA), antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA), and anti-liver/kidney microsomal antibodies type 1 (anti-LKM-1).(1) Subtypes of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) are based on autoantibody reactivity patterns.
Anti-LKM-1 antibodies serve as a serologic marker for AIH type 2 and typically occur in the absence of SMA and antinuclear antibodies. These antibodies react with a short linear sequence of the recombinant antigen cytochrome monooxygenase P450 2D6.(2) Patients with AIH type 2 more often tend to be young, female, and have severe disease that responds well to immunosuppressive therapy.
Reference Values
≤20.0 Units (negative)
20.1-24.9 Units (equivocal)
≥25.0 Units (positive)
Reference values apply to all ages.
Cautions
Serologic tests for autoantibodies, including anti-LKM-1, should not be relied upon exclusively to determine the etiology or prognosis of patients with liver disease.
Anti-LKM-1 antibodies may occur in some patients with chronic hepatitis caused by hepatitis C virus infection. Although the epitopes recognized by anti-LKM-1 antibodies in hepatitis C virus infection are different than in patients with AIH type 2, physicians must use caution in interpreting the results of tests for anti-LKM-1 antibodies in such patients.
Day(s) Performed
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Report Available
1 dayPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Medical Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test has been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
86376