Urticaria-Inducing Activity
Test Mnemonic
UTACT
CPT Codes
- 86352 - QTY (1)
LOINC ®
63369-3
Aliases
- CD203c upregulation
- Urticaria
Performing Laboratory
ARUP
FDA Category
Laboratory Developed Test
Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | Serum | No additive (Red) | Frozen, Critical | Critical Frozen. Separate serum from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Separate specimens must be submitted when multiple tests are ordered. |
Minimum Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 mL |
Stability
| Environmental Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Ambient | After separation from cells Unacceptable |
| Refrigerated | After separation from cells: Unacceptable. |
| Frozen | After separation from cells: 1 year (avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles) |
Days Performed
Mon, Fri
Turnaround Time
12 - 15 days
Methodology
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Cell Culture | |
| Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) | |
| Semi-Quantiative Ex Vivo Challenge |
Reference Range
| Urticaria-Ind Activity | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sex | Age From | Age To | Type | Range | Range Unit |
| Normal | <=10 | Units |
Special Info
Critical frozen. Patients taking calcineurin inhibitors should stop their medications for 72 hours prior to draw. Patients on prednisone should be off medication for 2 weeks prior to draw. Separate specimens must be submitted when multiple tests are ordered. Specimens other than serum are unacceptable. Grossly hemolyzed, lipemic, or contaminated specimens will be rejected. This test is New York DOH approved.
Clinical Info
Chronic urticaria (CU) is a common and complex dermatological condition that is suspected when patients experience persistent hives for over 6 weeks. No published evidence of an exogenous allergen as the cause of this disorder exists. About 45 percent of cases have autoantibodies directed against either basophil or mast cell-associated IgE or the high affinity IgE-Fc receptor (Fc epsilon R1 alpha). The presence of histamine releasing factors (including but not limited to IgE and Fc epsilon R1 alpha-specific autoantibodies) in the patient serum can be indirectly determined by evaluating basophil/mast cell activation status using histamine release assays, autologous serum-skin test, and flow cytometric measurement of the basophil and mast cell-specific marker CD203c. Serum from CU patients can activate donor basophils, which induces histamine release and CD203c upregulation.