022
Test #
IgA Epidermal Transglutaminase Antibody
CPT Code(s) #
83520
If Profile, Includes Tests:
N/A
Disease Name:
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Type of Study:
Serum Studies
Methodology:
ELISA
Substrate:
N/A
Reference Range:
<16 AU/ml Negative
16-22 AU/ml Grey range
>22 AU/ml Positive
Units:
AU/ml
Schedule:
Assay performed once every two weeks. Report availability is within two weeks 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:
Patients with Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH) have gluten induced circulating IgA autoantibodies to tissue transglutaminase (TG2) and epidermal transglutaminase (TG3). Recent data indicated that DH is IgA-TG3 immunocomplex mediated disease developing in some gluten sensitive enteropathy (GSE) patients. There is pathogenic TG3 deposition in the papillary dermis and small blood vessels in skin of patients, colocalized with granular IgA deposits. IgA epidermal transglutaminase antibodies ELISA is a sensitive test for initial diagnosis and follow up of patients with DH.
