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Test Code CIFA Cutaneous Immunofluorescence Antibodies, IgA, Serum


Specimen Required


Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 2 mL

Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.


Useful For

Confirming the presence of IgA antibodies to diagnose pemphigoid, pemphigus, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, or bullous lupus erythematosus

Method Name

Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA)

Reporting Name

Cutaneous Immfluor. Ab (IgA), S

Specimen Type

Serum

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
  Frozen  30 days
  Ambient  14 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis OK
Gross lipemia Reject
Gross icterus OK

Clinical Information

Immunoglobulin A anti-basement membrane zone (BMZ) antibodies are produced by patients with pemphigoid. In most patients with bullous pemphigoid, serum contains IgA anti-BMZ antibodies, while in cicatricial pemphigoid circulating IgA anti-BMZ antibodies are found in a minority of cases. Sensitivity of detection of anti-BMZ antibodies is increased when serum is tested using sodium chloride-split primate skin as substrate.

 

Circulating IgA anti-BMZ antibodies are also detected in patients with epidermolysis bullosa acquisita and bullous eruption of lupus erythematosus.

 

IgA anti-cell surface (CS) antibodies are produced by patients with pemphigus. The titer of anti-CS antibodies generally correlates with disease activity of pemphigus.

Reference Values

Report includes presence and titer of circulating antibodies. If serum contains basement membrane zone antibodies on split-skin substrate, patterns will be reported as:

1) Epidermal pattern, consistent with pemphigoid

2) Dermal pattern, consistent with epidermolysis bullosa acquisita

 

Negative in normal individuals

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Report Available

2 to 7 days

Performing 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

88346

88350