Antibodies to Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Are they useful in clinical practice?

Background/Aims: Antibodies to Saccharomyces cerevisiae are associated with Crohn's disease. The aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity and specificity of antibodies to Saccharomyces cerevisiae for Crohn's disease in an Italian population and to evaluate their clinical role. Methodology: Antibodies to Saccharomyces cerevisiae serum levels were assessed in 72 inflammatory bowel disease patients (30 Crohn's disease; 42 ulcerative colitis) and 35 age-matched controls. Patients were divided into subgroups on the basis of disease behavior and clinical feature were evaluated. Results: Antibodies to Saccharomyces cerevisiae sensitivity and specificity for Crohn's disease patients were 50% (31-68) and 91% (77-98), for IgG and 56% (37-64) and 94% (80-99), respectively, for IgA. No correlation was observed between the presence of antibodies to Saccharomyces cerevisiae and clinical features. Antibodies to Saccharomyces cerevisiae were more prevalent in Crohn's disease than in ulcerative colitis patients (IgA: 57% vs. 26%; IgG: 50% vs. 17%;p