DIAGNOSTIC TEST 079

Acetylcholine Receptor Antibodies

Diagnostic test for antibodies against AChR. For suspicion of Myasthenia gravis, and thymoma.

Indication

Suspicion of Myasthenia Gravis (MG) and thymoma

Sample material

Serum

  • Minim. volume: 0,5 mL

Transport

  • Within Sweden: room temperature
  • International: cold

Method

RIA

Reference interval

<0.25 nmol/L negative, 0.25-0.40 nmol/L borderline

Result

Results are reported as negative, borderline or positive with a value.

Interpretation

Antibodies against ACh-R have high diagnostic specificity for Myastenia Gravis (MG) and are found in approximately 85% of cases with a generalized disease and in about 50% of those with ocular symptoms only. The antibody level is usually higher in early onset MG than in late onset MG. The antibody levels usually decrease with treatment.

The antibody level correlates poorly with the severity of the disease and low levels can be seen in pronounced symptoms. In case of negative results, it is recommended to supplement with analysis of antibodies against muscle-specific kinase (anti-MuSK) which is detected in 5-40% of MG patients negative for antibodies against ACh-R. Clinically, it cannot be distinguished between MG positive for antibodies against ACh-R or MuSK.

References

  • Pirskanen-Matell R et al. Lakartidningen. 2000. Myasthenia gravis--en autoimmun neuromuskulär sjukdom [Myasthenia gravis--an autoimmune neuromuscular disease]. PMID: 11107745
  • Ohta K et al. Autoimmunity. 2003. Frequency of anti-AChR epsilon subunit-specific antibodies in MG. PMID: 12911281
  • Matthews I et al. Clin Chim Acta. 2004. Muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinase autoantibodies--a new immunoprecipitation assay. PMID: 15369741
  • Beeson D et al. Neurology. 1996. A transfected human muscle cell line expressing the adult subtype of the human muscle acetylcholine receptor for diagnostic assays in myasthenia gravis. PMID: 8960744
  • Narayanaswami P et al. Neurology. 2021. International Consensus Guidance for Management of Myasthenia Gravis: 2020 Update. PMID: 33144515

Included in these panels

Need pricing information?

Get a quote

How to order

This test is available worldwide for hospitals, clinics, and physicians.

  1. Print and complete the request form

    Download the request form. Clearly state the name and phone number of the referring hospital, clinic, or physician.

  2. Prepare your samples

    Serum: At least 0.5 mL serum (plain serum tubes without additives).

  3. Send samples and request form

    Within Sweden
    Samples can be sent at room temperature to:
    Envelopes and smaller boxes:
    Wieslab AB, Box 50117, 20211 Malmö, Sweden

    Larger boxes and frozen samples:
    Wieslab AB, Lundavägen 151, 21224 Malmö, Sweden

    International
    Send samples cold to:
    Wieslab AB, Lundavägen 151, 21224 Malmö, Sweden

Read our sampling instructions for more information

Last updated: 2025-10-09