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 mLSerumNo additive (Red) Frozen, CriticalSeparate 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
AmbientAfter separation from cells: 30 minutes
RefrigeratedAfter separation from cells: Unacceptable
FrozenAfter 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 

Reference Range

Urticaria Ind Bas Ac
Sex Age From Age To Type Range Range Unit
       Normal< = 27%

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.