Turnaround times
The quoted turnaround time is from sample receipt in the laboratory, to results authorisation in the Laboratory Information Management system. The times do not include transport of specimen to the laboratory or the administrative process to print and post/email reports. Service users must allow for transport and reporting time when ordering tests.
Clinical background:
Interferon-beta (IFNβ) is a first-line therapy for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). However, some patients develop binding antibodies (BAbs) and neutralising antibodies (NAbs) during their treatment with recombinant IFNβ products. Clinical studies have demonstrated that high levels of Nabs to IFNβ will reduce or abolish the therapeutic benefits.The measurement of Nabs to IFNβ in the serum of MS patients on treatment will inform the clinician as to the likely efficacy of the current therapy.
Specimen container paediatric:
Serum
Specimen container adult:
Serum
Minimum volume paediatric:
0.5 – 1 mL
Minimum volume adult:
0.5 – 1 mL
Special requirements:
Serum samples may be stored at 2 to 8oC for short periods (1 week) or frozen at -20oC for longer storage times.
Transport requirements:
First class post
Add on test:
All urgent add ons via telephone on 0191 2821890, and must be confirmed via email to [email protected]
Reference ranges:
A NAb titre of <20 is negative. Titres of 20 to100, 100 to 600 and >600 are classified as low, moderate and high positive.A low level of NAbs is not thought to be sufficient to reduce the effect of IFNβ treatment, whereas a high titre of NAbs is likely to abrogate the effect of IFNβ.