Effective Tuesday, November 11, 2014, the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics core clinical chemistry laboratory will change methodology for the anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) assay (Epic # LAB1254).

The new BioRad assay has improved sensitivity (83% vs. 67%) and equivalent specificity (98% vs. 97%) compared to the current Roche Diagnostics assay.

Specimen type:	4.5 mL light green plasma separator tube (PST)
Minimum requirements (Adult):	3 mL whole blood from one light green plasma separator tube (PST)
Minimum requirements (Peds):	TWO light green top microtainer (pediatric patients)
Test Availability:	24 hours/day, 7 days a week (including holidays)
Turnaround Time:	2 hours upon receipt in laboratory
Reference range:	< 3.0 U/mL

The reference range is different compared to the previous assay.

Questions should be directed to Matthew Krasowski, MD, PhD, medical director of the Clinical Chemistry Laboratory (384-9380, matthew-krasowski@uiowa.edu).