Groups of tests which are useful in the diagnosis of patients with immunological disorders
Diagnosis of SLE:
- Request ANA, dsDNA, ENA, C3/C4, GAM and CRP
Follow up of SLE:
- Request dsDNA, C3/C4, CRP. (ANA, GAM and ENA at 3 monthly intervals.)
SLE in pregnancy or with imminent pregnancy:
- These patients should also have their cardiolipin ab’s assayed.
Monitoring Infections:
- Alternate day samples for CRP will give adequate information regarding response to antibacterial therapy. CRP, an acute phase protein, has a half life of 4-6 hrs.
Diagnosis of Myeloma:
- Full characterisation (Blood and Urine)
- IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD; Immunofixation; B2M; Albumin, Total Protein, Densitometry, Cryoglobulin; Viscosity; Kappa and Lambda light chains and Creatinine.
Monitoring Myeloma:
- Follow up (Blood and Urine).
- IgG, IgA, IgM or IgD; Electrophoresis; B2M; Kappa or Lambda light chains; Albumin, Total Protein, Densitometry, Creatinine.
Autoantibody screen:
- ANA on Hep2 cells; GPC; LKM; AMA and SMA.
Arthritis screen:
- ANA on Hep2 cells; CRP and RF.
Autoimmune/Viral liver disease:
- SMA, AMA, LKM, IgG, IgA and IgM
Vasculitis screen:
- ANA on Hep2 cells; ANCA and CRP.
Several laboratory tests may be useful in the diagnosis of clinical disorders involving inflammation of vessel walls. These include ANA, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody and measurement of immune complexes, Von Willebrand factor (FVIII Rag) and CRP. The laboratory offers a vasculitis screen of the three most commonly requested tests as first line investigation of this condition. The screen is aimed at cost reduction by laboratory efficiency compared to each assay being requested separately.
Vasculitis screen:
A vasculitis screen is available as an urgent request with a turnaround time of just two hours. However, since this disrupts the normal daily scheduled workload, there will be an additional but moderate charge for this service.