Cutaneous Direct Immunofluorescence Assay, Varies
Use
This test is used to confirm a diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid, cicatricial pemphigoid, pemphigoid gestationis, and other variants of pemphigoid. It is applicable to all types of pemphigus, including paraneoplastic pemphigus, dermatitis herpetiformis, linear IgA bullous dermatosis, chronic bullous disease of childhood, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, porphyria cutanea tarda, bullous eruption of lupus erythematosus, and atypical or mixed forms of bullous disease. Additionally, it is useful in diagnosing systemic lupus erythematosus, cutaneous lupus erythematosus or other variants, vasculitis, lichen planus, and other inflammatory diseases.
Special Instructions
All requisition and supporting information must be submitted in English. Each requisition must be labeled with patient name, date of birth, and medical record number, and contact information for the referring pathologist or ordering healthcare professional. Information about the anatomic site and collection date, as well as a suspected diagnosis and reason for testing, is also required. See Specimen Required section for more details on labeling biopsy site specimens.
Limitations
The test is not useful for diagnosing malignancies involving the skin. It should be considered an adjunctive test and results must be interpreted in context with clinical information, histologic studies, and serologic studies as clinically indicated. Specimens with bound immunoglobulin, complement, or fibrinogen from autoimmune bullous diseases, connective tissue disease, vasculitis, lichen planus, and other inflammatory conditions are examined, but the presence of these does not confirm all possible conditions.
New York Approved
Methodology
Immunoassay (IHC)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 66121-5
- 19139-5
- 35265-8
- 80398-1
Result Turnaround Time
2-5 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Tissue (Unknown)
Volume
2- to 8-mm punch specimen, intact or bisected
Minimum Volume
Not provided
Container
Screw-capped container or vial containing transport medium (Michel's or Zeus media)
Collection Instructions
Collect biopsy of skin or mucosa avoiding old lesions (including facial), ulcers, erosions, or bullae. Immediately place the specimen into a labeled vial of transport medium and seal tightly.
Causes for Rejection
Biopsy tissue from lung, kidney, muscle, salivary gland, veins, synovial tissue, bronchial tissue, or bronchial lavage; Formalin-fixed biopsy tissue; Biopsy tissue frozen in alcohol; Biopsy tissue in Trumps media; Biopsy tissue in glutaraldehyde; Biopsy tissue in Hank's media
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 30 days |
| Refrigerated | 30 days |
| Frozen | 120 days |