Autoimmune Encephalitis Panel

Diagnostic Use

To provide support for the diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis/Limbic encephalitis through the detection in serum and/or CSF of antigen specific anti-neuronal antibodies.

Where NMDAR antibodies only are required please refer to NMDA/5844 test information

Clinically urgent requests can be expedited only if communicated to Immunology by phone

Department

Immunology

Delphic Registration Code

AES

Synonyms

NMDA, NMDAR, AMPA, GABA, GABAB, LGI1, CASPR2, VGKC, voltage gated

Turnaround Time

2 weeks

Specimen Type

• Serum
• CSF

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Serum (Red Cap)
• SST II (Gold Cap)

Acceptable

• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
• Lithium Heparin - Gel (Green Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

5

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

2

Aliquot Instructions

Interpretation

Indirect immunofluorescence is a subjective method therefore maybe subject to uncertainty.

Results are based on presence of absence of detectable antibodies.

 

Reference Intervals

Antibody to	Main syndrome	Clinical Features	Age association
NMDA Receptor	NMDAR encephalitis	Children – seizures Adult – behavioural, psychiatric Association with ovarian teratoma in women	Children and adults
AMPA	Limbic encephalitis	Confusion, memory loss Association with SCLC, thymoma or breast cancer	Adult
GABAb R	Limbic encephalitis	Seizures, memory loss, confusion Association with SCLC	Adult
LGI1	Limbic encephalitis	Memory loss, seizures, hyponatraemia Association with thymoma	Adult
CASPR2	Limbic encephalitis	Memory loss, insomnia, dysautonomia, ataxia, neuropathic pain	Adult

Test Method

Indirect immunofluorescence
Please note, the following antibodies in this panel have not been subject in internal verification due to rarity of samples: AMPA1/GABAb R. Should a positive be detected, sample will be referred for confirmation.

Non-Funded Test Cost

$402.33 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

9681

Contact Information

Enquiry Form