Pediatric Autoimmune Encephalopathy/CNS Disorder Evaluation, Serum
Use
Autoimmune encephalitis and myelitis are increasingly recognized as causes of central nervous system diseases in children and adolescents. Evaluating serum specimens from children with suspected autoimmune CNS disorders can help identify specific autoantibodies, which may guide diagnosis and therapeutic decisions. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) encephalitis, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) autoimmunity, aquaporin-4 autoimmunity, contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CASPR2) autoimmunity, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy are among the conditions this test can help diagnose. This evaluation helps detect associated antibodies to aid in the diagnosis of autoimmune CNS disorders in pediatric patients.
Special Instructions
The test should not be ordered for patients who have recently received radioisotopes due to potential assay interference. Relevant clinical information and the ordering healthcare professional's contact details should be provided. For optimal antibody detection, specimen collection is recommended before starting immunosuppressant medication or intravenous immunoglobulin treatment. Duplicate tests ordered under the same order number will be canceled.
Limitations
Negative results do not exclude an autoimmune CNS disorder diagnosis. Coexisting non-neuron-specific autoantibodies may interfere but can be generally addressed by serologic absorption during the assay. Radioactive interference is possible if the patient has recently undergone procedures involving radioisotopes. Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment prior to sample collection could result in false-positive outcomes.
New York Approved
Methodology
Immunoassay (Multiplex Protein Panel)
Biomarkers
Result Turnaround Time
3-5 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
4 mL
Minimum Volume
2 mL
Container
Plastic vial
Collection Instructions
Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Patient Preparation
For optimal antibody detection, specimen collection is recommended before starting immunosuppressant medication or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment.
Causes for Rejection
Gross hemolysis, gross lipemia, and gross icterus
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 72 hours |
| Refrigerated | 28 days |
| Frozen | 28 days |