Ordering Recommendation
• This is a test for autoantibodies in patient’s serum on two substrates covering different specificities and sensitivities for initial diagnostic assessment and disease monitoring in IgA-variant pemphigus, including, intraepidermal neutrophilic IgA dermatosis-type and subcorneal pustular dermatosis-type; diseases that present with pustules, blistering, and erosions, 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; panel that includes IgA cell surface antibodies: Epithelial Antibody Screening Panel.
Methodology
Indirect immunofluorescence - monkey esophagus and human intact 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