top of page

Test Code #

B22

CPT Code(s) #

83516

Test Name

IgA Epidermal Transglutaminase Antibody

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 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:

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.

bottom of page