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HelpTest Code APHTC Amphiphysin Antibody Titer Assay, Spinal Fluid
Ordering Guidance
Serum is preferred. Spinal fluid testing is particularly useful if interfering antibodies are present in the serum.
Specimen Required
Only orderable as a reflex. For more information see:
-DMC2 / Dementia, Autoimmune/Paraneoplastic Evaluation, Spinal Fluid
-ENC2 / Encephalopathy, Autoimmune/Paraneoplastic Evaluation, Spinal Fluid
-EPC2 / Epilepsy, Autoimmune/Paraneoplastic Evaluation, Spinal Fluid
-MDC2 / Movement Disorder, Autoimmune/Paraneoplastic Evaluation, Spinal Fluid
-MAC1 / Myelopathy, Autoimmune/Paraneoplastic Evaluation, Spinal Fluid
-SPPC / Stiff-Person Spectrum Disorders Evaluation, including Progressive Encephalomyelitis with Rigidity and Myoclonus, Spinal Fluid
Container/Tube: Sterile vial
Specimen Volume: 4 mL
Useful For
Evaluating patients with recent onset of a subacute neurological disorder for which a paraneoplastic basis might be suspected, particularly if the patient has a previous history, risk factors, or family history of cancer, especially lung or breast cancer
Reporting an end titer result from cerebrospinal fluid specimens
Method Name
Only orderable as a reflex. For more information see:
-DMC2 / Dementia, Autoimmune/Paraneoplastic Evaluation, Spinal Fluid
-ENC2 / Encephalopathy, Autoimmune/Paraneoplastic Evaluation, Spinal Fluid
-EPC2 / Epilepsy, Autoimmune/Paraneoplastic Evaluation, Spinal Fluid
-MDC2 / Movement Disorder, Autoimmune/Paraneoplastic Evaluation, Spinal Fluid
-MAC1 / Myelopathy, Autoimmune/Paraneoplastic Evaluation, Spinal Fluid
-SPPC / Stiff-Person Spectrum Disorders Evaluation, including Progressive Encephalomyelitis with Rigidity and Myoclonus, Spinal Fluid
Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA)
Reporting Name
Amphiphysin Ab Titer, CSFSpecimen Type
CSFSpecimen Minimum Volume
2 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSF | Refrigerated (preferred) | 28 days | |
| Frozen | 28 days | ||
| Ambient | 72 hours |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Gross lipemia | Reject |
| Gross icterus | Reject |
Clinical Information
Antineuronal autoantibodies specific for amphiphysin (a 128-kDa synaptic vesicle-associated protein) are found in a paraneoplastic context. These IgG antibodies were initially described as a serological marker of paraneoplastic stiff-man syndrome associated with breast carcinoma. They are now more aptly recognized as a marker of autoimmune encephalomyeloneuritis, sensory neuronopathy, and assorted neuromyopathic disorders associated with small-cell lung carcinoma or breast carcinoma.
Only 1 of 30 patients identified as seropositive for amphiphysin antibodies in the Mayo Clinic Neuroimmunology Laboratory exhibited any stiff-person phenomena (n=63: 39% women, 12% men). Only 10% of women (some with lung carcinoma) and 4% of men fulfilled diagnostic criteria for stiff-man syndrome. Overall, cancer was detected in 79.4% of seropositive patients (at last follow-up). Lung carcinoma (small cell) accounted for 61% of cancers and 35% had breast carcinoma (42% for women).
Amphiphysin seropositivity implicates antineuronal autoimmunity as the basis for a variety of neurological presentations and focuses the patient's subsequent investigation to a search for breast carcinoma or small-cell lung carcinoma.
Reference Values
Only orderable as a reflex. For more information see:
-DMC2 / Dementia, Autoimmune/Paraneoplastic Evaluation, Spinal Fluid
-ENC2 / Encephalopathy, Autoimmune/Paraneoplastic Evaluation, Spinal Fluid
-EPC2 / Epilepsy, Autoimmune/Paraneoplastic Evaluation, Spinal Fluid
-MDC2 / Movement Disorder, Autoimmune/Paraneoplastic Evaluation, Spinal Fluid
-MAC1 / Myelopathy, Autoimmune/Paraneoplastic Evaluation, Spinal Fluid
-SPPC / Stiff-Person Spectrum Disorders Evaluation, including Progressive Encephalomyelitis with Rigidity and Myoclonus, Spinal Fluid
<1:2
Neuron-restricted patterns of IgG staining that do not fulfill criteria for amphiphysin antibody may be reported as "unclassified antineuronal IgG." Complex patterns that include nonneuronal elements may be reported as "uninterpretable."
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Report Available
6 to 8 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
86256