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Acetylcholine Receptor Binding Antibody
Test Code206
CPT Codes
86041
Preferred Specimen
1 mL serum
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 14 days
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: 30 days
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: 30 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Gross hemolysis • Grossly lipemic • Microbially contaminated
Methodology
Radioimmunoassay (RIA)
Setup Schedule
Set up: Tues-Sat; Report available: 1-2 days
Limitations
Antibodies may not be found in congenital myasthenia.
Clinical Significance
Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by muscle weakness, most commonly due to autoantibody-mediated loss of functional acetylcholine receptors (AChR) in the neuromuscular junction. AChR binding autoantibodies are diagnostic of MG, and are found in 85-90% of MG patients. This assay aids in the differential diagnosis of conditions with MG-like muscle weakness and in monitoring therapeutic response. If binding antibodies are negative, assays for modulating and blocking antibodies should be considered.