Anti-Smooth Muscle Antibodies (ASMA) are proteins produced by the body’s immune system that are directed against its own cytoskeletal proteins of the smooth muscle. The production of ASMA is strongly associated with chronic active autoimmune hepatitis but may also be seen in other forms of liver disease and with other autoimmune disorders such as primary biliary cirrhosis, but usually at lower titers. This test is used to help diagnose autoimmune hepatitis. Autoimmune hepatitis is an unresolving inflammation of the liver of unknown etiology. Elevated smooth muscle antibody titers have also been reported in a small number of patients with viral hepatitis, infectious mononucleosis, malignant tumors, alcoholic cirrhosis, and 5% of normal patients. See also Nuclear Antibodies and Autoimmune Liver Antigen Profile.
Separate serum from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection.
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