020
Test #
Endomysial (EmA) Antibody IgA/IgG
CPT Code(s) #
86231 x2
If Profile, Includes Tests:
N/A
Disease Name:
GSE, Celiac Disease, Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Type of Study:
Serum Studies
Methodology:
Indirect Immunofluorescence
Substrate:
Primate Lower Esophagus
Reference Range:
Negative: <1:2.5
Units:
Titer
Schedule:
Assay performed daily Monday-Friday. Report availability is within 48-72 hours from the time of specimen receipt.
Specimen Requirements:
Collect 2-5 ml of blood in a red top Vacutainer or serum separator (SST) tube, allow blood to clot, and centrifuge. Label tube appropriately.
Sample Stability:
Room temperature = stable during shipment
2ºC to 8ºC = 5 days
-25ºC to -15ºC = 1 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.
