Autoimmune diabetes. The role of autoantibody markers in the prediction and prevention of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

In general, reliable and reproducible ICA results are available only from research laboratories that routinely perform ICA testing. Regarding IAA testing, IAA ELISA must be avoided. There are numerous GADA procedures available that definitely have different sensitivities for GADA detection. IA-2A testing is very new and is performed in only a few research laboratories. Islet autoantibody testing should be performed only as part of research protocols. At the present time, we know much more about the prediction of IDDM than its prevention. Once safe and credible methods are available to prevent IDDM, islet autoantibody screening may become as common as childhood immunizations.