Test Code CIFST Cutaneous Immunofluorescence Antibodies Titer, IgG, Serum
Specimen Required
Only orderable as a reflex. For more information see CIFS / Cutaneous Immunofluorescence Antibodies, IgG and IgG4, Serum.
Collection Container/Tube:
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 2 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Useful For
Confirmation of positive IgG anti-cell surface (CS) and anti-basement membrane zone (BMZ) antibodies.
Method Name
Only orderable as a reflex. For more information see CIFS / Cutaneous Immunofluorescence Antibodies, IgG and IgG4, Serum.
Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA)
Reporting Name
CIFS Titer, IgG, SSpecimen Type
SerumSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
---|---|---|
Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days |
Frozen | 30 days | |
Ambient | 14 days |
Reject Due To
Gross hemolysis | OK |
Gross lipemia | OK |
Gross icterus | OK |
Clinical Information
Immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-basement membrane zone (BMZ) antibodies are produced by patients with pemphigoid. In most patients with bullous pemphigoid, serum contains IgG anti-BMZ antibodies, while in cicatricial pemphigoid circulating IgG anti-BMZ antibodies are found in a minority of cases.
Circulating IgG anti-BMZ antibodies are also detected in patients with epidermolysis bullosa acquisita and bullous eruption of lupus erythematosus.
Immunoglobulin G anti-cell surface (CS) antibodies are produced by patients with pemphigus. The titer of IgG anti-CS antibodies generally correlates with disease activity of pemphigus.
Reference Values
Only orderable as a reflex. For more information see CIFS / Cutaneous Immunofluorescence Antibodies, IgG and IgG4, Serum.
Negative in normal individuals
Interpretation
Indirect immunofluorescence (IF) testing may be diagnostic when histologic or direct IF studies are only suggestive, nonspecific, or negative.
Anti-cell surface antibodies correlate with a diagnosis of pemphigus.
Anti-basement membrane zone antibodies correlate with a diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid, cicatricial pemphigoid, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, or bullous eruption of lupus erythematosus.
Cautions
Results should be interpreted in conjunction with clinical information, histologic pattern, and results of direct immunofluorescence (IF) study. In particular, the finding of low titer (≤1:80) anti-cell surface antibodies should not be used alone (ie, without histologic or direct IF support) to confirm a diagnosis of pemphigus.
Method Description
Frozen sections of primate esophagus are overlaid with dilutions of patient's serum, incubated, covered with fluorescein-conjugated IgG antiserum, and interpreted with a fluorescence microscope.(Unpublished Mayo method)
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Report Available
2 to 7 daysSpecimen Retention Time
30 daysPerforming Laboratory

Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
88350
LOINC Code Information
Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
CIFST | CIFS Titer, IgG, S | 104835-4 |
Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
622323 | Cell Surface Ab Titer, IgG | 104831-3 |
622324 | Basement Membrane Titer, IgG | 104836-2 |
622325 | Other | 48767-8 |