Endomysial Antibody (IgA) Screen with Reflex to Titer

Message

Interfaced

Test Code

EMA

Quest Code

15064

Includes

If Endomysial Antibody (IgA) Screen is positive, then Endomysial Antibody Titer will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 86231).

Preferred Specimen

1 mL serum

Minimum Volume

0.3 mL

Transport Container

Transport tube

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 7 days
Refrigerated: 21 days
Frozen: 21 days

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

Gross hemolysis • Grossly lipemic

Methodology
Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA)

Setup Schedule

Mon-fri

Report Available

3 days

Reference Range

Endomysial Antibody (IgA)	Negative
Endomysial Antibody Titer	<1:5

Clinical Significance

The presence of anti-endomysial (EMA) IgA antibodies has been shown to correlate with gluten-sensitive enteropathy such as celiac disease (CD) and dermatitis herpetiformis (DH). EMA is detected primarily by IFA, using monkey esophagus as a substrate and observing fluorescence of the endomysial lining. Patients with CD and DH can also demonstrate antibodies to reticulin and gliadin, though EMA-IgA seems to be the most specific marker (specifically 94-100%).

Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics-Pittsburgh Lab

875 Greentree Road

Pittsburgh, PA 15220-3508

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.