Anti-Nuclear Antibodies (ANA), reflex to Titer and Pattern, IFA, Serum

Test Code

ANAF

Alias/See Also

Epic: LAB5069

Includes

If ANA Screen is positive, Titer and Pattern will be performed at an additional charge.

Preferred Specimen

Specimen Type: Serum
Collection Container: Serum gel
Specimen Volume: 3 mL

Minimum Volume

1 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Collection Container: Red top

Instructions

Centrifuge and separate cells after clot formation and within 4 hours of collection.

Transport Container

Plastic vial

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 8 hours
Refrigerated: 48 hours
Frozen: > 48 hours

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Unlabeled, mislabeled, wrong tube type, gross hemolyzed, QNS, exceeds specimen stability requirements.

Methodology

Indirect Fluorescent Antibody (IFA)

Setup Schedule

Monday - Friday

Report Available

2 days

Reference Range

See laboratory report

Clinical Significance

Measurement of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in serum is the most commonly performed screening test for patients suspected of having a systemic rheumatic disease, also referred to as connective tissue disease.(1) ANA occur in patients with a variety of autoimmune diseases, both systemic and organ-specific. They are particularly common in the systemic rheumatic diseases, which include lupus erythematosus (LE), discoid LE, drug-induced LE, mixed connective tissue disease, Sjogren syndrome, scleroderma (systemic sclerosis), CREST (calcinosis, Raynaud phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, telangiectasia) syndrome, polymyositis/dermatomyositis, and rheumatoid arthritis.(1)

The diagnosis of a systemic rheumatic disease is based primarily on the presence of compatible clinical signs and symptoms. The results of tests for autoantibodies including ANA and specific autoantibodies are ancillary. Additional diagnostic criteria include consistent histopathology or specific radiographic findings. Although individual systemic rheumatic diseases are relatively uncommon, a great many patients present with clinical findings that are compatible with a systemic rheumatic disease and large numbers of tests for ANA are ordered to eliminate the possibility of a systemic rheumatic disease.

^{Mayo Clinic Laboratories, Test Catalog, (https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/Overview/9026)}

Performing Laboratory

Inova Laboratories

2832 Juniper Street

Fairfax, VA 22031

Last Updated: May 9, 2023
Last Review: N. Wolford, May 9, 2023

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.