Anti-Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Antibodies (ASCA), Phenotypes of IBD, and Intestinal Permeability: A Study in IBD Families

Abstract

ASCA is strongly associated with familial CD in Belgium, and 21% of healthy family members also display the marker. The association is much weaker in patients belonging to mixed families. ASCA is a stable marker and is not a secondary phenomenon due to increased intestinal permeability.