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HelpTest 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
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)
Specimen Type
CSFSpecimen 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 |
Clinical Information
Antibody targeting glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-IgG is a biomarker of a subacute and progressive autoimmune meningitis, encephalitis, and myelitis that can mimic multiple sclerosis (MS) or other idiopathic inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) disorders such as sarcoidosis. Neurological manifestations include headache, optic neuropathy, transverse myelitis, cognitive decline, and cerebellar ataxia. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is inflammatory. Cranial magnetic resonance (MR) imaging reveals linear perivascular enhancement oriented radially to ventricles. A paraneoplastic neurological context is common. Reported neoplasms accompanying neurological symptoms include adenocarcinomas (prostate and gastroesophageal), myeloma, melanoma, colonic carcinoid, parotid pleomorphic adenoma and teratoma. If GFAP-IgG is detected by immunofluorescence assay (IFA), it is reflexed to a test for the alpha isoform of GFAP (GFAPalpha-IgG) by cell based assay.
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
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Report Available
10 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
CPT Code Information
86256