Description
Presence of antibodies associated with neuromyelitis optica (Devic’s syndrome) which is debated to be a subtype of multiple sclerosis or a distinct disease.
Indication
Inflammatory and demyelinating diseases of CNS particularly with optic nerve involvement
Interpretation
Reported sentsitivity and specificity of 91% and 100% for NMO. Found in both Caucasian and Japanese patients
Sample
Serum Separator Tube (SST)
Assay details
Indirect immunofluorescence using aquaporin 4 transfected cell line
Restrictions
Referred test: only available to Neurology staff
Reference range
neg/low positive/positive
Turnaround time
28 days
Analysing laboratory
Churchill Hospital Department of Immunology