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Test Code LAB2004221 NMDA RECEPTOR ANTIBODY, IgG, SERUM WITH REFLEX TO TITER

Performing Laboratory

St. Louis Children's Hospital Sendout to ARUP Laboratories

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Blood

Patient Preparation: None

Container/Tube 

Preferred:  Gold/Red SST Vacutainer®
Acceptable: Plain, red-top Vacutainer®
Collection Volume: 2.0 mL (minimum 0.5 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: 

<1:10

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 within 2 hours of collection. Aliquot supernatant into a 5-mL screw-cap plastic vial for transport.
Processed Volume: 1.0 mL (minimum 0.2 mL) serum

Transport Temperature: Refrigerated
Analyte Stability: 

Ambient (unprocessed):2 hours
PROCESSED:

Ambient: 48 hours

Refrigerated: 2 weeks

Frozen: 1 year

Note: Specimen must be separated from clot within 2 hours of collection.
Avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles

Test Classification and CPT Code

86255

86256: titer (if appropriate)

LOINC

80221-5

Last Reviewed

08/2025