Test Detail

PARIETAL CELL ANTIBODY, IFA (PCA)

The PARIETAL CELL ANTIBODY (PCA), IFA test detects autoantibodies in a blood sample that target parietal cells in the stomach lining, which are responsible for secreting hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor. This test is a key diagnostic tool for pernicious anemia and autoimmune atrophic gastritis, as these conditions involve the immune system attacking its own parietal cells, leading to vitamin B12 malabsorption and anemia. The Indirect Fluorescence Assay (IFA) method used is considered a gold standard for detecting these antibodies.