Question 151#

What are the most common type of antibodies seen in pernicious anaemia?

A. Vitamin B12 receptor antibodies

Correct Answer B: 

Pernicious anaemia: investigation:
Investigation:

• Anti gastric parietal cell antibodies in 90% (but low specificity)
• Anti intrinsic factor antibodies in 50% (specific for pernicious anaemia)
• Macrocytic anaemia
• Low WCC and platelets
• LDH may be raised due to ineffective erythropoiesis
• Also low serum B12, hypersegmented polymorphs on film, megaloblasts in marrow
• Schilling test 

Schilling test:

• Radiolabelled B12 given on two occasions
• First on its own
• Second with oral IF
• Urine B12 levels measured