Epidermal Antibodies with Reflex to Titer
Test Mnemonic
EPIABS
CPT Codes
- 86255 - QTY (2)
Aliases
- Pemphigus Antibody
Includes
- Intercellular Substance Antibody
- Intercellular Substance Antibody Titer (if indicated)
- Basement Membrane Zone Antibody
- Basement Membrane Zone Antibody Titer (if indicated)
Performing Laboratory
Focus Laboratories MRL
Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 mL | Serum | SST (Gold) | Refrigerated |
Alternate Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 mL | Serum | No additive (Red) |
Minimum Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 mL |
Stability
| Environmental Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Ambient | 4 days |
| Refrigerated | 1 week |
| Frozen | 30 days |
Days Performed
Wed, Fri
Turnaround Time
4 - 9 days
Methodology
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Indirect Fluorescent Antibody (IFA) |
Reference Range
Special Info
If the Intercellular Substance Antibody is positive, the titer will be performed at an additional cost. If the Basement Membrane Zone Antibody is positive, the titer will be performed at an additional charge. Grossly hemolyzed, grossly lipemic and grossly icteric specimens will be rejected.
Clinical Info
The detection os anti-skin antibodies aids in the diagnosis of chronic vesicular-bullous diseases including pemphigus, pemphigoid, cicatricial pemphigoid and epidemolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA). Epithelial intercellular antibodies are diagnostic for pemphigus and occur in over 90% of sera from all active forms. Antibodies to basement membrane antigens of stratified squamous epithelium occur in about 70% of active bullous pemphigoid, 50% of vesicular pemphigoid and EBA and 10% of cicatricial pemphigoid patients.