ANTI-SMOOTH MUSCLE ANTIBODY TEST

  HI.  MY DOCTOR ORDER NUMEROUS TESTS (BLOOD) TO RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF LUPUS.  MY SISTER HAS ALREADY BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH SLE.  ALL MY TESTS CAME BACK NEGATIVE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MY ASMA TEST- IT CAME BACK POSITIVE.  WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?  IS IT AN INDICATOR OF SLE?
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Dear Donna,
An antibody is a protein made by the body to defend itself against infections. Sometimes, due to unknown reasons, the body makes antibodies against itself and these are called autoantibodies. The ASMA (anti smooth muscle antibody) test detects autoantibodies directed against a particular type of muscle tissue.
Many healthy people can test positive for the ASMA. From the point of view ithe gastroenterologist, ASMA can be present in autoimmune chronic active hepatitis.  
I would like to emphasize that the ASMA test has relevance only in the appropriate clinical setting and by itself does not indicate any particular disease. A positive ASMA test alone is NOT diagnostic of any particular disease.  In particular, the diagnosis of lupus is based on clinical and laboratory criteria. A positive ASMA test does not make a diagnosis of lupus.
I would recommend that you talk to your doctor about whether you have lupus. If you still have doubts you may want to see a rheumatologist who will be able to help you.
This information is provided for educational purposes only.  Always consult your doctor for specific medical conditions.
HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: liver disease
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