Specimen:

Serum

Collection Medium:

Minimum:

Adult - 5 ml; red top tube
Pediatric - 2 ml; red top tube

Testing
Schedule:

Daily - Batch analysis performed daily excluding 
weekends and university holidays.

Analytic Time:

3 days

Reference Range:

<1:40 titer, includes interpretative report.

Comments:

"UC-ANCA" (also called "atypical P-ANCA" or "X-ANCA") is the type of 
ANCA most commonly found in some patients with certain inflammatory 
bowel and liver disease, namely, ulcerative colitis (72-80%), primary 
sclerosing cholangitis (72-80%), and autoimmune hepatitis type 1 
(50-80%). A subset of patients with Crohn's Disease limited to the 
colon, may also be positive. Some patients with autoimmune connective 
tissues diseases (including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid 
arthritis and Felty's syndrome) may also have an autoantibody which 
produces the "atypical P-ANCA" pattern.

Since the specificity of this autoantibody has not yet been 
conclusively identified (and there may be more than one specificity), 
there is no confirmatory test.  It is important to order this test only 
in the clinical setting of inflammatory bowel or liver disease.  Note: 
Very rare patients with ulcerative colitis or primary sclerosing 
cholangitis may have one of the vasculitis-related ANCA specificities 
(anti-MPO or PR3).

Titration of "UC-ANCA" is not performed as studies have found no 
correlation between titer and disease activity.

Methodology:

Immunofluorescence

Sample
Processing:

Centrifuge at 3500 RPM for 5 minutes.
Aliquot serum into labeled container and cap.

Sample
Storage:

Refrigerate serum 2-8 degree C.

Transport
Instructions:

Place specimen into zip-lock type bag, seal bag.
Place requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Ship at ambient temperature.

CPT Code:

86255 UC-ANCA Screen (Technical)
86255-26 UC-ANCA Screen (Professional Interpretation)