Anti Jo-I Antibody

Antibodies are the disease-fighting proteins that allow your body to fight against infection or disorder. These vital proteins bind with the antigen or foreign substance in the body and destroy them, leaving memory cells behind. 
The Anti-Jo-1 antibody is one such binding protein found in the blood of patients suffering from idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM).

The most commonly occurring IIM diseases include:

• Dermatomyositis 
• Polymyositis
• Raynaud's phenomenon
• Arthritis
• Histidyl-tRNA Synthetase syndrome
• Interstitial lung disease

The IIM diseases like Histidyl-tRNA Synthetase syndrome attack muscular strength. This condition usually occurs in adults between 40-60 years and children aged 5-15. However, there is no specific age limit at which it starts deteriorating the body.

Considering the rapid progression of Jo-1 IgG diseases, experts suggest the Anti-Jo-1 Antibody test as a part of a group of tests post a preliminary analysis. The primary symptoms that may prompt your doctor to recommend this test for IIM disorders diagnosis include: 

• Recurrent low-grade fever
• Persistent muscle pain
• Anaemia
• Joint pain and swelling
• Rapid hair loss
• Irregular heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Chronic tiredness
• Lasting dry cough
• Swallowing or breathing difficulty
• Trouble holding items
• Difficulty in walking

As age progresses, the symptoms of anti-Jo-1 antibody diseases start affecting the whole body. The most prominent impacts are seen on the skin, skeletal muscles and lungs. If left undiagnosed or untreated, it can result in a physical disability, respiratory problem and even cardiovascular issues.

Timely detection through the anti-Jo-1 blood test limits the spread of autoimmune diseases. The collection procedure for the anti-Jo-1 diagnosis is pretty simple. A lab technician will draw out a small amount of your blood using a sterilised needle and carefully store it in a vial. Some side effects that you might face after blood sample collection for the Jo-1 test can be:

• Redness or bruising where the needle was inserted
• Spot soreness or pain after the blood draw
• Minor rashes
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea
• A temporary drop in blood pressure or heart rate

Most of these side effects are normal and last for about 1 to 2 days after the anti-Jo-1 antibody test. The aftereffects also depend on the needle treatment and body handling while drawing the sample.

Apollo 24|7 offers the Jo-1 antibody test for a detailed understanding of your current health. The test results are given in Unit terms. To comprehend the report, you can consider the following range:

• Less than 1.0 U is considered negative, implying no presence of Jo-1 IgG antibodies.
• More than or equivalent to 1.0 U signals the presence of an anti-Jo-1 antibody in the bloodstream. 
  
   

  Medically edited by Dr. Sonia Bhatt.

  
   

Frequently asked questions

What is the Jo-1 blood test?

The Jo-1 IgG blood test detects the presence of histidyl-tRNA synthetase antibodies in the blood, which is related to idiopathic inflammatory myopathic diseases. These autoimmune diseases include polymyositis, dermatomyositis, arthritis, mechanic's hand, Raynaud phenomenon and pulmonary problems.

When should you consider taking an anti-Jo-1 blood test?

The Jo-1 antibody blood test is prescribed by a medical professional upon considering your present body issues. Thus, if your problems include muscle pain, recurrent fever, breathing difficulty and movement problems, you can consult a doctor who will suggest a proper course of medication and treatment.

What are IIM diseases, and how do they affect the body?

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies are a group of disorders that target the skeletal muscles of the body. Some common IIM diseases are polymyositis, dermatomyositis, interstitial lung ailments, arthritis, etc. These disorders weaken the body's muscles over the years, leading to difficulty in swallowing, breathing and mobility.

What does a positive Jo-1 antibody test result mean?

The positive anti-Jo-1 antibody test result implies that the antibodies associated with IIM and autoimmune diseases are present in the body. This outcome helps the medical expert gauge your health situation for initiating the treatments of myositis, polymyositis syndromes and interstitial lung disease, i.e., autoimmune and IIM disorders.

Do I need an anti-Jo-1 test even if I'm showing mild symptoms?

The doctor prescribes the anti-Jo-1 test after conducting a brief analysis of your current symptoms. The mild symptoms can indicate the onset of a disorder. So, it depends on the expert evaluation before undergoing the test.

What are the risk factors for anti-Jo-1 diseases?

With the presence of autoantibodies for the Jo-1 antigen, the body exhibits a variety of symptoms. From joint swelling to breathing difficulty, the primary damage occurs in the skeletal muscles of the body. Prolonged existence of the disease and delayed treatment can result in cardiovascular issues, movement restrictions, physical disability and reduced life span.