Ordering Recommendation

Aids in the diagnosis of autoimmune cerebellar ataxia and encephalitis. The presence of Ma2/Ta antibodies may be associated with cerebellar ataxia, encephalitis, dementia, and brainstem encephalitis. Ma2/Ta antibody disease may be paraneoplastic and is primarily associated with testicular cancer and adenocarcinoma. 

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

CSF

Specimen Preparation

Transfer 1 mL CSF to an ARUP standard transport tube. (Min: 0.60 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions

Urine, plasma. Contaminated, heat-inactivated, hemolyzed, or lipemic specimens.

Remarks
Stability

Ambient: 48 hours; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 1 month

Methodology

Qualitative Immunoblot

Performed

Mon, Thu, Sat

Reported

1-4 days

Reference Interval

Test Number
Components
Reference Interval
  Ma2/Ta Antibody, IgG by Immunoblot, CSF Negative

Interpretive Data

IgG antibodies to Ma2/Ta are associated with paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes with phenotypes most often including a combination of limbic encephalitis, diencephalic encephalitis, and brainstem encephalitis. Patients with anti-Ma2/Ta paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes should be thoroughly evaluated for cancer, including testicular cancer and adenocarcinoma, as neurologic symptoms often precede cancer diagnosis. Use of immune checkpoint inhibitors has also been associated with an increased risk of anti-Ma2 paraneoplastic neurologic disease. Consider sending testing in serum as well as CSF to improve diagnostic yield. Results (positive or negative) should be interpreted in the context of the patient's complete clinical picture, as false positives may occur and a negative result does not exclude the diagnosis of paraneoplastic neurologic disease.

Compliance Category

Laboratory Developed Test (LDT)

Note

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

84182

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
3017504 Ma2/Ta Antibody, IgG by Immunoblot, CSF
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

Aliases

  • Ma
  • Ma2
  • PNMA2
  • Ta
Ma2/Ta Antibody, IgG by Immunoblot, CSF