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Interpretive Handbook

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Test 82026:
Narcolepsy-Associated Antigen, HLA-DQB1 Typing, Blood

Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

Narcolepsy is a neurological condition affecting about 0.02% to 0.16% of African American, Caucasian, and Japanese individuals. It can be quite disabling because it is characterized by abnormal rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, cataplexy, hypnagogic hallucinations, and sleep paralysis.

 

Studies have identified DQB1*06:02 as a useful marker of narcolepsy. While DQB1*06:02 is found in virtually all African American, Caucasian, and Japanese narcoleptics, it must be clearly understood that some patients do not have this allele and, more importantly, about 25% of normal people have this gene.

 

Because DQB1*06:02 is present in the normal population, no test for an HLA gene constitutes a test for narcolepsy. A more reliable approach would be to consider that, in an appropriate patient, the absence of the strongly associated DQB1*06:02, provides good evidence that the patient does not have narcolepsy.

Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Ruling out a diagnosis of narcolepsy

Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

If DQB1*06:02 is not detected, the narcolepsy-associated antigen test result will be reported as negative for DQB1*06:02.

 

If the allele is detected, the result will be reported as positive for DQB1*06:02.

Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

No significant cautionary statements

Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.

An interpretive report will be provided.

Clinical References Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature

1. Mignot E, Lin X, Arrigoni J, et al: DQB1*0602 and DQB1*0102 (DQ1) are better markers than DR2 for narcolepsy in Caucasian and Black Americans. Sleep 1994;17:S60-67

2. Chabas D, Taheri S, Renier C, Mignot E: The genetics of narcolepsy. Ann Rev Genomics Hum Genet 2003;4:459-483