SMA (Smooth Muscle Antigen) Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

SMA (Smooth Muscle Antigen) - Research Paper Example The name smooth muscle comes from the fact that these muscles do not have the banded appearance of skeletal or cardiac muscles. The third group is the cardiac muscles that serve to pump blood through the human body. Cardiac muscles, like the smooth muscles, are controlled involuntarily (Zimmermann, 2014). Several forms disease could affect smooth muscles as shown in the charts below (Elgaddar, 2013). When antigens such as bacteria or viruses attack smooth muscle, the body’s immune system produces antibodies to counter the antigen. Every antibody produced is unique, to defend against one type of antigen. In rare cases, antibodies are produced to attack the body’s own healthy cells. These are called auto antibodies and the person has an autoimmune disorder (Blocka, 2012). The most common smooth muscle disease is hepatitis or inflammation of the lever. Hepatitis types A and B are usually self-limiting. Most cases that require clinical studies are of hepatitis C. When a physician diagnoses smooth muscle problems, the first test he recommends is a test for hepatitis. The hepatitis virus itself cannot be detected in a test. When the virus is present, the human system produces antibodies which can be identified and serve as an indicator for presence of the infection. The Anti-Smooth Muscle Antibody or ASMA test is performed on a blood sample drawn from a vein in the arm of the person (Blocka, 2012). Smooth muscle antibodies were first identified in patients with chronic hepatitis, other liver diseases, viral infections, certain cancers and female infertility. SMA is a heterogeneous group of antibodies reactive with different smooth muscle auto antigens. Different SMAs give different immunofluorescent staining patterns which help the laboratory to identify the SMA (Toh, 1979). The history of the person for whom ASMA test is being administered is of relevance in the conduct of tests and interpretation of results. Hepatitis C is often associated