Test Code ANA Antinuclear Antibody Immunofluorescent (ANA-HEp2)
Useful For
Antinuclear antibody (ANA) is a general term used to describe autoantibodies against various cell nuclear proteins. Antibodies specific to DNA show a high disease correlation with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A number of other nuclear and cytoplasmic macromolecules have been detected, and are associated with other connective tissue diseases. Because a number of these antibodies appear to be of diagnostic and/or prognostic use in progressive systemic sclerosis, mixed connective tissue disease, Sjogren’s syndrome, polymyositis, and rheumatoid arthritis, ANA testing is no longer considered only a test to rule out SLE. ANA testing is now recognized as a general screening tool for connective tissue disease.
Synonyms/Keywords
ANA, FANA, IFA-ANA
Specimen Requirements
| Fasting Required | Specimen Type | Preferred Container/Tube | Acceptable Container/Tube | Specimen Volume | Specimen Minimum Volume (allows for 1 repeat) |
Pediatric Minimum Volume (no repeat) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Serum | Red Top Tube (RTT) or Serum Separator Tube (SST) | 0.5 mL | 0.3 mL | 0.3 mL |
Collection/Processing Instructions
Separate serum from cells within 2 hours of collection.
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerate | <2 days |
| Frozen | >2 days |
Rejection Criteria
| Gross hemolysis |
|---|
| Gross lipemia |
Test Information
This test is performed using Hep-2 substrate. Positives are tittered at an additional charge, and pattern is reported. The following patterns will be reported when observed: Homogenous, Nucleolar, Speckled, Centromere, Cytplasmic, Dense Fine Speckled, Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen, Nuclear Membrane, Multiple Nuclear Dot, and "Other". An interpretive comment will be added when appropriate. See the Mixed Connective Tissue Disease Panel Algorithm for suggested follow-up testing.
Reference Range Information
| Performing Location | Reference Range |
|---|---|
| Marshfield | Negative: <1:80 |
Marshfield Labs Performing Department
Marshfield Labs Immunodiagnostics
Performing Information
| Performing Location | Day(s) Test Performed | Analytical Time | Methodology/Instrumentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marshfield | Monday through Friday | 1 day | Indirect Immunofluorescence (IFA) |
CPT Codes
| CPT | Modifier (if needed) |
Quantity | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 86038 | 1 | Screen | ||
| 86039 | 1 | Titer, if positive |
Outreach CPT Codes
| CPT | Modifier (if needed) |
Quantity | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 86038 | 1 | Screen | ||
| 86039 | 1 | Titer, if positive |
Ordering Applications
| Ordering Application | Description |
|---|---|
| Cerner | ANA Immunofluorescent (ANA-HEp2) |