Extractable nuclear antigen test
EXTRACTABLE NUCLEAR ANTIGEN TEST
DESCRIPTION – an extractable antigen panel detects the presence of autoantibodies in the blood that react with proteins in the cell nucleus. These proteins are known as extractable because they can be removed from cell nuclei using saline and represent six main proteins
METHODOLOGY – semi- quantitative enzyme linked immunosorbent assay
TURN AROUND TIME – 1-2 days
SPECIMEN REQUIERED –
COLLECT – serum separator tube
SPECIMEN PREPARATION – separate serum from cells within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 1 ml of serum to transport tube
STORAGE/TRANSPORT TEMPERATURE – refrigerated
STABILITY – ambient: 48 hours; refrigerated: 1 week; frozen: 1 month
UNACCEPTABLE CONDITION – plasma or other body fluids. Bacterially contaminated and severely lipemic specimens
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS – clinical history is mandatory
