An assay for serum vitamin-B12 and for intrinsic factor antibody type I by means of hog intrinsic factor.

Abstract

A method of assay for the circulating intrinsic factor antibody type I (IFA1) and for the serum vitamin-B12 level by the use of hog intrinsic factor has been developed. The results, the sources of error being taken into consideration, are in agreement with the values obtained by the generally accepted methods of ARDEMAN--CHANARIN for IFA1 and of WIDE--KILLANDER for the serum vitamin-B12 level. Parallel with the increase in the frequency of circulating IFA1, the serum vitamin-B12 level was found to decline in normal individuals as well as in patients with atrophic gastritis or pernicious anaemia. The method is suitable for the assessment of vitamin-B12 deficiency and lends itself to screening of patients tending to pernicious anaemia.