Voltage-Gated Potassium Channel (VGKC) Antibody
Test Mnemonic
VGKCAB
CPT Codes
- 83519 - QTY (1)
LOINC ®
41871-5
Performing Laboratory
ARUP
Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 mL | Serum | SST (Gold) | Refrigerated | Separate serum from cells within 1 hour of collection. |
Alternate Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 mL | Serum | No additive (Red) | Refrigerated | Separate serum from cells within 1 hour of collection. |
Minimum Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 mL |
Stability
| Environmental Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Refrigerated | After separation from cells: 2 weeks |
| Frozen | After separation from cells: 1 month (Avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles) |
| Ambient | After separation from cells: 72 hours |
Days Performed
Tue
Turnaround Time
2 - 9 days
Methodology
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Radioimmunoassay |
Special Info
Screening test for Voltage-Gated Potassium Channel (VGKC) antibody receptor complex-associated autoantibodies. Assay does not identify Contactin Associated Protein 2 (CASPR2) Antibody or Leucine-rich Glioma Inactivated 1 Protein (LGI1) antibodies individually. Plasma is unacceptable. Grossly lipemic or icteric specimens will be rejected.
Clinical Info
Voltage-Gated Potassium Channel (VGKC) antibodies are associated with neuromuscular weakness as found in neuromyotonia (also known as Issacs syndrome) and Morvan syndrome. VGKC antibodies are also associated with paraneoplastic neurological syndromes and limbic encephalitis; however, VGKC antibody-associated limbic encephalitis may be associated with antibodies to leucine-rich, glioma-inactivated 1 protein (Lgi1) or contactin-associated protein-2 (Caspr-2) instead of potassium channel antigens.The clinical significance of this test can only be determined in conjunction with the patient's clinical history and related laboratory testing.