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Test Code 700478 NMDA RECEPTOR ANTIBODY, IgG, CSF WITH REFLEX TO TITER

Performing Laboratory

St. Louis Children's Hospital Sendout to ARUP Laboratories

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Cerebral Spinal Fluid

Patient Preparation: None

Container/Tube 

Preferred:  7.0 mL screw-capped, sterile, plastic CSF collection vial
Acceptable: 7.0 mL screw-capped, sterile, plastic CSF collection vial
Collection Volume: 0.5 mL (minimum 0.2 mL)

Special Instructions: Send to lab promptly

Sample Rejection

Specimens that are grossly hemolyzed and/or lipemic

Mislabeled or unlabeled specimens.

Logistics

Test Availability: Daily
Cut-off time: None

Days set up by performing lab: Sunday - Saturday
Turnaround Time: 2-4 days

Reference Values

Reference Interval: 

<1:1

Interpretation: Anti-NMDA receptor IgG antibody is found in a subset of patients with autoimmune limbic encephalitis and may occur with or without associated tumor. Decreasing antibody levels may be associated with therapeutic response; therefore, clinical correlation must be strongly considered. A negative test result does not rule out a diagnosis of autoimmune limbic encephalitis

Critical Value: None established

Methodology

Semi-Quantitative Indirect Fluorescent Antibody

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by ARUP Laboratories. It has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This test was performed in a CLIA certified laboratory and is intended for clinical purposes

Limitations

NA

Additional Information

FOR SLCH CORE LABORATORY USE ONLY

Lab Processing Instructions: Centrifuge specimen to separate. Aliquot supernatant into a 5-mL screw-cap plastic vial for transport.
Processed Volume: 0.5 mL (minimum 0.2 mL) CSF

Transport Temperature: Refrigerated
Analyte Stability: 

Ambient: 48 hours

Refrigerated: 2 weeks

Frozen: 1 year

 

Test Classification and CPT Code

86255

86256: titer (if appropriate)

LOINC

80220-7

Last Reviewed

08/2025