Immunoglobulin A

Diagnostic Use

Quantitative analysis of IgA is useful for:

•Detection and monitoring of immunodeficiency
•Monitoring of IgM monoclonal gammopathies

Department

Protein Lab

Delphic Registration Code

PIGA

Laboratory Handling

Test Adds

Stable for 14 days ambient and refrigerated or frozen for 28 days.

Turnaround Time

3 days

Test Code

3267

Specimen Type

• Serum
• Plasma

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Serum (Red Cap)

Preferred if West Coast

• SST II (Gold Cap)

Acceptable

• SST II (Gold Cap)
• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
• Lithium Heparin - Gel (Light Green Cap)
• EDTA (Lavender Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

0.5

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

0.25

No of Samples Required

1

Interferences

Gross lipaemia.

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Serum
• Plasma

Minimum Volume (ml)

0.25

Transport to Lab

Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)

Interpretation

Quantitative analysis does not distinguish between monoclonal, oligoclonal, or polyclonal elevation. Serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) and immunofixation should be used to determine if any increase is due to the presence of a monoclonal band.

A monoclonal elevation of IgA is indicative of gammopathies such as:
•Multiple myeloma
•Monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance (MGUS)
•Other related disorders.

Oligoclonal or polyclonal elevation of IgA may arise from:
•Proliferative liver diseases (e.g. Hepatitis, cirrhosis)
•Connective tissue diseases
•Infections, acute and chronic.

Immunoglobulin levels may also be elevated if the blood is extracted from the umbilical cord of neonates where there has been an intrauterine or perinatal infection.

IgA deficiencies may be due to:
•Primary or secondary immunodeficiency.
•immunosuppression due to the presence of a plasma cell dyscrasia.

Reference Intervals

Analyte	Age	R.I (g/L)
Immunoglobulin A (IgA)	0 to < 1 year	0.0 – 0.3
	1 to < 3 years	0.0 – 0.9
	3 to < 6 years	0.3 – 1.5
	6 to < 14 years	0.5 – 2.2
	14 to < 19 years	0.5 – 2.9
	Adult	0.7 – 4.0

Test Method

Nephelometric immunoassay on Siemens BNII.

Non-Funded Test Cost

$14.32 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

3267

Contact Information

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