Neopterin
Test Mnemonic
NEOPT
CPT Codes
- 83520 - QTY (1)
LOINC ®
34908-4
Performing Laboratory
LabCorp
Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 mL | Serum | SST (Gold) | Frozen | CRITICAL: MUST protect from light. Specimens that are not protected from light will be rejected. |
Alternate Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 mL | Serum | No additive (Red) | Frozen | Transfer separated serum to a plastic transport tube. CRITICAL: MUST protect from light. Specimens that are not protected from light will be rejected. | |
| 0.8 mL | Plasma | EDTA (Lavender) | Frozen | Transfer separated plasma to a plastic transport tube. CRITICAL: MUST protect from light. Specimens that are not protected from light will be rejected. |
Minimum Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 mL | Note: This volume does NOT allow for repeat testing |
Stability
| Environmental Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Refrigerated | 3 days |
| Frozen | 6 months |
| Ambient | Unacceptable |
Days Performed
Wed
Turnaround Time
6 - 9 days
Methodology
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) |
Reference Range
| Neopterin, Serum | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sex | Age From | Age To | Type | Range | Range Unit |
| Adults: < 2.5 ng/mL |
Special Info
CRITICAL: MUST protect from light. Specimens not protected from light will be rejected. If tube other than a gel-barrier tube is used, transfer separated serum or plasma to a plastic transport tube. Grossly lipemic, hemolyzed or icteric specimens will be rejected
Clinical Info
Neopterin, a pyrazolopyridine compound, is produced by macrophages after induction by interferon gamma and serves as a marker of cellular immune system activation. Measurable levels of neopterin have been detected in both the serum and urine of patients suffering from various types of malignancies(1) and viral infections. Changes in neopterin concentrations in serum or urine can predict complications such as graft rejection in organ transplant recipients. Elevated neopterin levels are found in autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Neopterin levels can be used as prognostic predictors for certain types of malignancies. Measurement of neopterin levels has particular value for monitoring patients infected with HIV. Neopterin is eliminated primarily in the urine, so evaluation of urinary neopterin levels may be useful in assessing activation of the cellular immunity system even in the absence of typical clinical symptoms, since a correlation has been observed with the course of diseases involving cellular immunity activation and urinary neopterin levels. 1. Werner ER, Bichler A, Daxenbichler G, et al. Determination of neopterin in serum and urine. Clin Chem. 1987 Jan; 33(1):62-66. PubMed 3802497