Test Code #

B20

CPT Code(s) #

86231 x2

Test Name

Endomysial (EmA) Antibody IgA/IgG

If Profile, Includes Tests:

N/A

Disease Name:

GSE, Celiac Disease, Dermatitis Herpetiformis

Type of Study:

Serum Studies

Methodology:

Indirect Immunofluorescence

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Substrate:

Primate Lower Esophagus

Reference Range:

Negative: <1:2.5

Units:

Titer

Schedule:

Assay performed daily Monday-Friday. Report availability is within 48 hours from the time of specimen receipt

Specimen Requirements:

Collect 5-10 ml of blood in a red top or serum separator tube. If possible, separate serum from clot and place into red capped tube provided with Beutner Laboratories collection kits. If separation facilities are not available, the blood can be sent in the tube used for collection.

Sample Stability:

Stable at ambient temperature during shipment. If sample is stored prior to shipment, it is stable refrigerated (2-8ºC) up to five days and frozen (-20ºC or lower) up to one year.

Clinical Relevance:

The detection of endomysial antibodies (EmA) aids in the diagnosis of gluten sensitive enteropathy, i.e. celiac disease (CD) and dermatitis herpetiformis (DH). Patients with CD and DH are reported to have antibodies to endomysium, reticulin and gliadin. Of the various antibody markers of CD and DH, EmA of the IgA class seem to be the most sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of DH. Tests for IgA TG2 (tTG or tissue transglutaminase) and for TG3 (eTG or epidermal transglutaminase) by ELISA should also be done for greater sensitivity.