Urticaria-Induced Basophil Activation
Test Mnemonic
UTBAS
CPT Codes
- 88184 - QTY (1)
- 88185 - QTY (2)
Aliases
- Basophil Autoantibody Test
- Fc epsilon R1alpha
Performing Laboratory
ARUP
Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | Serum | No additive (Red) | Frozen, Critical | Separate specimens must be submitted when multiple tests are ordered. Separate serum from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection, transfer into a standard aliquot tube and freeze. |
Minimum Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 mL |
Stability
| Environmental Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Ambient | After separation from cells: 30 minutes |
| Refrigerated | After separation from cells: Unacceptable |
| Frozen | After separation from cells:1 year (avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles) |
Days Performed
Mon, Fri
Turnaround Time
8 - 17 days
Methodology
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Semi-Quantiative Flow Cytometry |
Special Info
Contaminated, grossly hemolyzed, or lipemic specimens will be rejected. Specimens other than serum are unacceptable. Separate specimens must be submitted when multiple tests are ordered. This test is New York DOH approved.
Clinical Info
Reference Interval: Negative: 27 % or less; Indeterminate (Borderline basophil activation detected): 28 - 38 %; Positive (Basophil activation detected): greater than or equal to 39 %. A value of 39 % or greater suggests the presence of basophil stimulating antibodies (or other serum factors). Chronic urticaria (CU) is a common and complex dermatological condition that is suspected when patients experience persistent hives for over 6 weeks. No published evidence of an exogenous allergen as the cause of this disorder exists. About 45 percent of cases have autoantibodies directed against either basophil or mast cell-associated IgE or the high affinity IgE-Fc receptor (Fc epsilon R1 alpha). The presence of histamine releasing factors (including but not limited to IgE and Fc epsilon R1 alpha-specific autoantibodies) in the patient serum can be indirectly determined by evaluating basophil/mast cell activation status using histamine release assays, autologous serum-skin test, and flow cytometric measurement of the basophil and mast-cell specific marker CD203c. Serum from CU patients can activate donor basophils, which induces histamine release and CD203c upregulation.