Basement Membrane Zone and Cell Surface (Epithelial) Antibodies, IgG and IgA by IIF

Use for indirect immunofluorescence monitoring of linear IgG and IgA basement membrane zone antibody-associated diseases or IgG and IgA cell surface/intracellular substance antibody-associated diseases in which enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) may not show increased antibody levels. Use to assess for changing patterns of epithelial antibody expression. 

Not a preferred initial test for immunobullous diseases. Consider Immunobullous Disease Antibody Panel (3001409) for comprehensive assessment, particularly for overlapping clinical presentations and mixed disease-associated antibody expression profiles. For pemphigoid, EBA, or IgG variant pemphigus, refer to Basement Membrane Zone Antibody Panel (3001410) or Pemphigus Antibody Panel, IgG (0090650).

This tests consists of indirect immunofluorescence of serum with three substrates, human basement membrane zone split skin (also known as salt-split skin), intact human skin, and monkey esophagus, providing relatively broad epithelial antibody assessment. Consider ordering in conjunction with ELISAs, which may be more sensitive for antibody detection and monitoring than indirect immunofluorescence but are narrower in the detection profile, restricted to antibodies with specificity to the epitopes included in the test. For suspected pemphigoid, EBA, or other basement membrane zone antibody-associated diseases, consider concurrent Bullous Pemphigoid (BP180 and BP230) Antibodies, IgG by ELISA (0092566) and Collagen Type VII Antibody, IgG by ELISA (2010905). For suspected pemphigus, consider concurrent Desmoglein 1 and Desmoglein 3 (Pemphigus) Antibodies, IgG by ELISA (0090649).

For more information about components, methodology, and specimen type, refer to the ARUP Immunobullous Disease Testing Comparison tool.