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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)