Acetylcholine Receptor (AChR)-modulating Antibodies, Flow Cytometry
Use
Diagnose myasthenia gravis (MG); monitor response to treatment of myasthenia gravis
Special Instructions
The presence of AChR modulating antibodies is associated with an increased risk of thymoma, and most patients with thymoma and MG have these antibodies. The test measures three functionally different types of antibodies against muscle AChR, including modulating antibodies, which cause receptor subunits to be internalized and degraded.
Limitations
In rare cases, AChR antibodies can be found in patients with other autoimmune disorders or with thymoma without Myasthenia Gravis (MG). The causative autoantibody cannot be identified in up to 10% of patients with MG. This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Labcorp; it has not been cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Methodology
Cell-based / Cytometry (Flow Cytometry)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 99062-2
- 99062-2
Result Turnaround Time
5-7 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
0.5 mL
Minimum Volume
0.3 mL
Container
Serum from a red-top tube; serum from a gel tube
Storage Instructions
Room temperature
Causes for Rejection
Improper labeling; gross microbial contamination; specimen contaminated with anticoagulants; chyous serum; plasma specimen; excessive hemolysis
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 14 days |
| Refrigerated | 14 days |
| Frozen | 14 days |