Ordering Recommendation
• This is an autoantibody test on two substrates covering different specificities and sensitivities for initial diagnostic assessment and disease monitoring in pemphigoid, pemphigoid variants, and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, diseases that present with blistering, erosions, pruritus, and/or urticaria, affecting skin and mucous membranes.
• Order concurrently with perilesional skin biopsy for direct immunofluorescence for initial diagnosis.
• Use for disease monitoring with semiquantitative antibody level assessments and tracking
• Consider more broad-based panel autoantibody assessment initially and for persisting unexplained or worsening disease activity because antibody detection may evolve over time; panels that include IgG basement membrane zone antibodies are: Epithelial Antibody Screening Panel, Basement Membrane Zone Antibody Screening Panel, Pemphigoid Panel, and Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita Panel.
Methodology
Indirect immunofluorescence - monkey esophagus and human split skin substrates
Performed
Daily
Reported
2-5 days
New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Approval Status
This test is New York State DOH approved.
Information Required to Submit with Order
Completed Immunodermatology Laboratory requisition form and copies of both sides of insurance cards or completed billing information
CPT Code(s)
88346; 88350 (86256 x 1-2 possible)
SPECIMEN REQUIREMENTS
Collect Blood
Plain red top tube or serum separator tube.
Specimen Preparation
2 mL serum separated from blood into serum vial provided in kit (Minimum needed: 0.5 mL)
Storage/Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Conditions with Disclaimer for Potentially Anomalous Results
Hemolyzed or lipemic serum specimens, whole blood
Stability
Ambient: 7 days
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: Indefinitely