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Order Code GFATC Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Alpha Subunit Antibody, Immunofluorescence Titer Assay, Spinal Fluid


Necessary Information


Provide the following information:       

-Relevant clinical information

-Ordering provider name, phone number, mailing address, and e-mail address



Specimen Required


Only orderable as a reflex. For more information, see:

DMC2 / Dementia Autoimmune Evaluation, Spinal Fluid

ENC2 / Encephalopathy Autoimmune Evaluation, Spinal Fluid

EPC2 / Epilepsy Autoimmune Evaluation, Spinal Fluid

MAC1 / Autoimmune Myelopathy Evaluation, Spinal Fluid

 

Container/Tube: Sterile vial

Specimen Volume: 2 mL


Useful For

Reporting an end titer result in spinal fluid specimens

 

Distinguishing, in spinal fluid, autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy from infectious meningoencephalitis and idiopathic inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) disorders such as multiple sclerosis, vasculitis and sarcoidosis, disorders commonly considered in the differential diagnosis

 

Alerting the clinician that the patient has an immune-mediated, steroid-responsive disorder and to search for a malignancy

Testing Algorithm

If immunofluorescence assay (IFA) pattern suggests GFAP, then GFAP IFA titer and GFAP cell-binding assay (CBA) are performed at an additional charge.

Method Name

Only orderable as a reflex. For more information, see:

DMC2 / Dementia Autoimmune Evaluation, Spinal Fluid

ENC2 / Encephalopathy Autoimmune Evaluation, Spinal Fluid

EPC2 / Epilepsy Autoimmune Evaluation, Spinal Fluid

MAC1 / Autoimmune Myelopathy Evaluation, Spinal Fluid

 

Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA)

Reporting Name

GFAP IFA Titer, CSF

Specimen Type

CSF

Specimen Minimum Volume

1.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
CSF Refrigerated (preferred) 28 days
  Frozen  28 days
  Ambient  72 hours

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis Reject
Gross lipemia Reject
Gross icterus Reject

Reference Values

Only orderable as a reflex. For more information, see:

DMC2 / Dementia Autoimmune Evaluation, Spinal Fluid

ENC2 / Encephalopathy Autoimmune Evaluation, Spinal Fluid

EPC2 / Epilepsy Autoimmune Evaluation, Spinal Fluid

MAC1 / Autoimmune Myelopathy Evaluation, Spinal Fluid

 

<1:2

Method Description

The patient's sample is tested by a standardized indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) that uses a composite frozen section of mouse cerebellum, kidney, and gut tissues. After incubation with sample and washing, fluorescein-conjugated goat antihuman IgG is applied. Neuron-specific autoantibodies are identified by their characteristic fluorescence staining patterns. Samples that are scored positive for any neuronal nuclear or cytoplasmic autoantibody are titrated to an endpoint. Interference by coexisting non-neuron-specific autoantibodies can usually be eliminated by serologic absorption.(Yu Z, Kryzer TJ, Griesmann GE, et al: CRMP-5 neuronal autoantibody: marker of lung cancer and thymoma-related autoimmunity. Ann Neurol 2001;49:146-154)

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

CPT Code Information

86256