Agilus Diagnostics, in partnership with Sebia, has introduced the anti-MCV (anti–mutated citrullinated vimentin) antibody test in India. The test aims to support the early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), particularly in patients who do not test positive for established biomarkers such as anti-CCP and rheumatoid factor (RF).
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects between 0.5–1 per cent of the Indian population, with numbers likely to increase due to improved access to diagnostics and rising disease awareness.
The anti-MCV test, developed by Sebia, identifies autoantibodies against a mutated version of the vimentin protein, a target found in the synovial fluid of patients with RA. The test has shown potential in detecting RA in patients who may otherwise go undiagnosed using conventional testing.
Research indicates that anti-MCV can detect RA even in the absence of anti-CCP and RF. In some cases, anti-MCV antibodies may appear up to 24 months before clinical symptoms, particularly in individuals with a family history of RA.
“Anti-MCV fills a crucial diagnostic gap. Studies show that 10–15 per cent of RA cases missed by anti-CCP can be picked up through anti-MCV testing. When patients present with persistent symptoms but test negative for both CCP and RF, anti-MCV offers clinicians a valuable next step,” said a Pathologist at Agilus Diagnostics.
The test is also being used in combination with anti-CCP to improve the sensitivity of RA diagnosis. This combined approach may help identify the disease at earlier stages without reducing specificity.
“Early detection of RA is critical to prevent irreversible joint damage and improve patient quality of life,” said Dr Siddhartha Sharma, Head – Clinical & Scientific Affairs, Sebia India.