Differentiation of BP from EBA on “split skin”

Category: Vesiculo-Bullous Disease
Test Code: 106
Disease: Pemphigus/Pemphigoid/EBA
Methodology: Indirect Immunofluorescence
Substrate: Split Primate Skin
Reference Range: Negative: <1:10
Units: Titer
Note: Positive samples at a 1:10 screening dilution are titered to an endpoint at an additional charge.
CPT Code: 86255
Schedule / Turnaround Time: Assay performed daily Monday-Friday. Report availability is within 48 hours from the time of specimen receipt.
Specimen Requirements:

Specimen need not be refrigerated or frozen. Collect 2-3 ml of blood in a red top or serum separator tube. If possible, separate serum from clot and place into white tube provided with Immco Diagnostics’ collection kits. If separation facilities are not available, the blood can be sent in the tube used for collection.

Sample Stability:

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

Relevance:

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) can mimic bullous pemphigoid (BP) clinically, histologically and immunologically. In this indirect immunofluorescence assay, EBA and BP antibodies can be distinguished by their localization in skin that is split at the lamina lucida.