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Test Code IMM190 Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria, PI-Linked Antigen, Blood

Additional Codes

YPIB

Reporting Name

PNH, PI-Linked AG, B

Useful For

Screening for and confirming the diagnosis of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)

 

Monitoring patients with PNH

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Whole blood


Specimen Required


Specimen must arrive within 3 days of collection.

 

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Yellow top (ACD solution A or B)

Acceptable: Lavender top (EDTA)

Specimen Volume: 2.6 mL

Collection Instructions: Send whole blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.


Specimen Minimum Volume

1 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Whole blood Ambient (preferred) 72 hours
  Refrigerated  72 hours

Reference Values

An interpretive report will be provided. 

 

RED BLOOD CELLS:

PNH RBC-Partial Antigen loss: 0.00-0.99%

PNH RBC-Complete Antigen loss: 0.00-0.01%

PNH Granulocytes: 0.00-0.01%

PNH Monocytes: 0.00-0.05%

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Saturday

Test Classification

This test was developed using an analyte specific reagent. Its performance characteristics were determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

88184-Flow cytometry, RBC x 1

88184-Flow cytometry, WBC x 1

88185-Flow cytometry, additional marker (each), RBC x 1

88185-Flow cytometry, additional marker (each), WBC x 6

88188-Flow Cytometry Interpretation, 9-15 Markers x 1

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
PLINK PNH, PI-Linked AG, B 90735-2

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
CK079 Interpretation 90739-4
CK080 PNH RBC-Partial Ag Loss 33662-8
CK081 PNH RBC-Complete Ag Loss 90738-6
CK082 PNH Granulocytes 90737-8
CK083 PNH Monocytes 90736-0

Interpretation

Individuals with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) have absent or decreased expression of all the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked antigens and fluorescent aerolysin (FLAER) on peripheral blood cells derived from the PNH clone.

 

Recent data showed that small PNH clones can be detected in a relatively high percentage of cases of aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. While the significance of this finding is still uncertain, it appears that these patients may benefit from immunosuppressive therapy.

 

This test incorporates a sophisticated technique of separating different cell populations using gating on antigen-positive cells, as well as the sensitivity to enable detection of small PNH clones. In addition, this test detects a partial loss of CD59 on type II red blood cells (RBC). Patients with large proportion of type II RBC are unlikely to show high levels of hemolysis, unlike patients with complete loss of GPI-linked proteins (predominantly type III cells). While PNH is a disorder of hematopoietic stem cells and all lineages are affected, the percentage of affected cells can differ between lineages, most commonly due to hemolysis and/or transfusion.

 

Individuals without PNH have normal expression of FLAER (neutrophils and monocytes) and normal expression of all GPI-linked antigens-CD14 (monocytes), CD16 (neutrophils and NK cells), CD24 (neutrophils), and CD59 (RBC).

Cautions

The sugar water test and the Ham test are no longer recommended for the evaluation of patients with possible paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

 

Recent transfusion can decrease the sensitivity of this test and interfere with accuracy.

Method Description

Flow cytometric immunophenotyping of peripheral blood (white blood cells [WBC] and red blood cells [RBC]) is performed using the following antibodies:

 

RBC: CD235a, CD59 

WBC: CD14, CD15, CD16, CD24, CD33, CD45, and FLAER

 

This assay evaluates the presence or absence of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked proteins using monoclonal antibodies directed against CD235, CD33, and CD15 to isolate different cell lineages. GPI-linked proteins that are checked within different lineages include CD14 for monocytes, CD's 16 and 24 for granulocytes, and CD59 for RBC. Fluorescent aerolysin, a fluorescently labeled inactive variant of the protein aerolysin, binds selectively to GPI anchors and is evaluated for presence or absence of expression on WBC. In addition, this test will detect a partial loss of CD59 on RBC (type II RBC).

 

Individuals without paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria have normal expression of all GPI-linked antigens on peripheral blood and leukocytes and erythrocytes.(Devalet B, Mullier F, Chatelain B, Dogne JM, Chatelain C. Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: a review. Eur J Haematol. 2015;95(3):190-198. doi:10.1111/ejh.12543)

Report Available

1 to 3 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis Reject
Fully Clotted Reject

Clinical Information

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is an acquired hematologic disorder characterized by nocturnal hemoglobinuria, chronic hemolytic anemia, thrombosis, pancytopenia, and, in some patients, acute or chronic myeloid malignancies.

 

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria appears to be a hematopoietic stem cell disorder that affects erythroid, granulocytic, and megakaryocytic cell lines. The abnormal cells in PNH have been shown to lack glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked proteins in erythroid, granulocytic, megakaryocytic, and, in some instances, lymphoid cells. Variants in the phosphatidylinositol glycan A gene, PIGA, have been identified consistently in patients with PNH, thus confirming the biological defect in this disorder.

 

A flow cytometric-based assay can detect the presence or absence of these GPI-linked proteins in granulocytes, monocytes, erythrocytes, and lymphocytes, thus avoiding the problems associated with red blood cell (RBC)-based diagnostic methods (Ham test) in which recent hemolytic episodes or recent transfusions can give false-negative results. A partial list of known GPI-linked proteins includes CD14, CD16, CD24, CD55, CD56, CD58, CD59, C8-binding protein, alkaline phosphatase, acetylcholine esterase, and a variety of high frequency human blood antigens. In addition, fluorescent aerolysin binds directly to the GPI anchor and can be used to evaluate the expression of the GPI linkage.

 

In-house studies, as well as others in the literature, have shown that flow cytometry-based assays will detect all Ham-positive PNH cases, as well as some Ham-negative PNH cases. This assay replaces the sugar water test and the Ham test for the evaluation of patients with possible PNH.

 

Patients with PNH should be transfused with ABO-specific reb blood cells (RBCs), which do not need to be washed. If, for some reason, they need to receive non-ABO type-specific (type O) cells, these RBC units should be washed. Since recipient antibodies to granulocyte antigens can trigger hemolytic episodes in PNH, if they have such antibodies these patients should receive leukoreduced RBCs and platelets.

Method Name

Immunophenotyping

Additional Tests

Test ID Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
FCIMS Flow Cytometry Interp, 9-15 Markers No, (Bill Only) Yes

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send 1 of the following forms with the specimen:

-Hematopathology/Cytogenetics Test Request Form (T726)

-Benign Hematology Test Request Form (T755)