Centromere IgG Antibody

The centromere is a chromosomal structure that binds two chromatids together. It acts as the link between a pair of sister chromatids or two identical copies born from the exact DNA replication.Centromere antibodies have a significant role in developing CREST syndrome.

The syndrome, also known as limited systemic scleroderma or limited systemic sclerosis, is characterised by a few different problems. The following conditions together characterise the CREST syndrome: 

• Calcinosis: Calcinosis cutis is a specific condition referring to the calcium salts deposited in the skin and subcutaneous tissues. It has five types: calciphylaxis, dystrophic, iatrogenic, idiopathic, and metastatic. Among these, dystrophic calcification is the most common cause of the condition. 
• Raynaud’s phenomenon: The condition causes your fingers and toes to become numb and cold due to high stress or low temperature. The smaller arteries supplying blood to the skin become narrow, disrupting the blood flow, also known as vasospasm.  
• Esophageal dysfunction: This condition impacts the oesophagus. GERD is the most common type of oesophageal disorder, the others being achalasia and Barrett's oesophagus. Common issues due to the disorder are difficulty in swallowing and heartburn. 
• Sclerodactyly: This is the most classic symptom of scleroderma. The condition makes the fingers swelled and the connective tissue fibrotic. The skin on the fingers becomes damaged and appears shiny and stiff. It also makes it difficult to bend the fingers or contract them. 
• Telangiectasia: Also known as spider veins, it causes the blood vessels on the skin to widen. This disease can happen in any body part, although it commonly appears on the skin and mucous membranes.

The Centromere IgG Antibody Test helps detect CREST syndrome. The centromere AB IgG s test is conducted on the blood serum with the help of a blood sample. You can book the test from Apollo 24|7 at a very reasonable price and have the phlebotomist visit you to collect the sample.

The serum must be separated from the blood sample within two hours of collection and then refrigerated. Any sample that is contaminated, haemolysed, consists of plasma, or has lipemic specimens will not deduce accurate results.

The centromere antibodies are identified by their own distinctive patterns of nuclear staining on the cell substrates in the fluorescent antinuclear antibody test (ANA).

The Centromere IgG Antibody Test (centromere AB IgG s) is highly useful for evaluating the conditions, signs, and symptoms of systemic sclerosis. A positive result in the centromere AB IgG s test (≥1.0 U) denotes the possibility of CREST syndrome at a very early stage.

Although CREST syndrome and scleroderma in general, is not curable, it can have a favourable prognosis and allow the patient to live longer. Other than CREST syndrome, the Centromere IgG antibody test also detects the more common clinical arthralgia and less occurring features, like stiffness, arthritis, and flexion contractures. 

Frequently asked questions

What is tested in an anti-centromere IgG antibody test?

The Centromere IgG Antibody Test is primarily useful in diagnosing limited coetaneous scleroderma, primary biliary cirrhosis, and CREST syndrome. The test makes it easy to differentiate the syndrome from other similar conditions that might mimic systemic scleroderma. Typical examples include eosinophilic fasciitis, scleroderma, scleromyxedema, and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. The anticentromere antibody (ACA) test also consists of an ANA (antinuclear antibody) test in the package.

Is CREST syndrome an autoimmune disease?

Calcinosis, Reynaud’s phenomenon, Oesophageal dysfunction, Sclerodactyly, Telangiectasia, or CREST syndrome, is a collagen vascular disease. This is an autoimmune disease type where your own immune system becomes your enemy, attacking various organs and tissues. CREST is also characterized as a milder version of systemic scleroderma.

What is anti-centromere protein B IgG?

Centromere protein B or major centromere autoantigen B (CENP-B) is an alphoid DNA-binding protein of the centromere. It is a target antigen found in patients with autoimmune diseases, especially scleroderma. In a positive anti-centromere IgG antibody (ACA) tests, these anti-centromere antibodies are detected in the blood. This confirms the presence of CREST syndrome in the body.

What does CENP-B positive mean?

The sera or serum of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and CREST syndrome have been seen to consist of anti-centromere antibodies or ACA. CENP-B is one of the major reactive antigens found in the test. A CENP-B positive test result is, therefore, valued as a diagnostic marker to detect scleroderma.

Is CREST syndrome genetic?

Although your genetics has a significant role in CREST syndrome formation, it is not directly passed on from the previous generation. Only in a few rare cases it has been witnessed to have directly transferred from family members. However, other autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or thyroid diseases are primarily genetic.

Is CREST syndrome fatal?

There is no cure for CREST syndrome, but the survival rate is pretty high compared to other autoimmune diseases. On average, the life expectancy can be anything between 5-10 years with supportive treatment.