Test Code PC1TC Purkinje Cell Cytoplasmic Antibody Type 1 (PCA-1) Titer, Spinal Fluid
Ordering Guidance
Serum is preferred. Spinal fluid testing is particularly useful when interfering antibodies are present in the serum.
Specimen Required
Only orderable as a reflex. For more information see:
ENC2 / Encephalopathy, Autoimmune/Paraneoplastic Evaluation, Spinal Fluid
MDC2 / Movement Disorder, Autoimmune/Paraneoplastic Evaluation, Spinal Fluid
MAC1 / Myelopathy, Autoimmune/Paraneoplastic Evaluation, Spinal Fluid
Container/Tube: Sterile vial
Specimen Volume: 4 mL
Useful For
Identifying female patients whose subacute cerebellar degeneration or peripheral neuropathy is due to a remote (autoimmune) effect of gynecologic or breast carcinoma
Reporting an end titer result from spinal fluid specimens
Method Name
Only orderable as a reflex. For more information see:
ENC2 / Encephalopathy, Autoimmune/Paraneoplastic Evaluation, Spinal Fluid
MDC2 / Movement Disorder, Autoimmune/Paraneoplastic Evaluation, Spinal Fluid
MAC1 / Myelopathy, Autoimmune/Paraneoplastic Evaluation, Spinal Fluid
Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA)
Reporting Name
PCA-1 Titer, CSFSpecimen Type
CSFSpecimen Minimum Volume
1 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
Purkinje cell cytoplasmic autoantibody type 1 (PCA-1), also known as anti-Yo, binds to Purkinje cell cytoplasm in a characteristic pattern by indirect immunofluorescence. It is found in the serum, and usually cerebrospinal fluid, of patients with paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration associated with gynecological or breast carcinoma. It is also found in some patients with sensory, sensorimotor, or motor neuropathy with some gynecologic cancer. Almost all (99%) seropositive patients are women.
Reference Values
Only orderable as a reflex. For more information see:
ENC2 / Encephalopathy, Autoimmune/Paraneoplastic Evaluation, Spinal Fluid
MDC2 / Movement Disorder, Autoimmune/Paraneoplastic Evaluation, Spinal Fluid
MAC1 / Myelopathy, Autoimmune/Paraneoplastic Evaluation, Spinal Fluid
<1:2
Neuron-restricted patterns of IgG staining that do not fulfill criteria for Purkinje cell cytoplasmic antibody type 1 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 RochesterTest 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