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HelpOrder Code CIFA Cutaneous Immunofluorescence Antibodies, IgA, Serum
Specimen Required
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 2 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Useful For
Confirming the presence of IgA antibodies to diagnose pemphigoid, pemphigus, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, or bullous lupus erythematosus
Method Name
Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA)
Reporting Name
Cutaneous Immfluor. Ab (IgA), SSpecimen Type
SerumSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days | |
| Frozen | 30 days | ||
| Ambient | 14 days |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | OK |
| Gross lipemia | Reject |
| Gross icterus | OK |
Reference Values
Report includes presence and titer of circulating antibodies. If serum contains basement membrane zone antibodies on split-skin substrate, patterns will be reported as:
1) Epidermal pattern, consistent with pemphigoid
2) Dermal pattern, consistent with epidermolysis bullosa acquisita
Negative in normal individuals
Method Description
Frozen sections of primate esophagus and sodium chloride-split primate skin are overlaid with dilutions of patient's serum, incubated, covered with fluorescein-conjugated IgA antiserum, and interpreted with a fluorescence microscope.(Unpublished Mayo method)
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
CPT Code Information
88346
88350