Test ID: CENTA
Centromere Antibodies, Serum
NY State Approved
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Evaluation of patients with clinical signs and symptoms compatible with systemic sclerosis
Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test
Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA)
Reporting Name
A shorter/abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test; an abbreviated test name
Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
Centromere Antibody, Serum
Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type needed for testing
Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen. This field describes the type of specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing. The volume allows automated processing, fastest throughput and, when indicated, repeat or reflex testing.
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Red top
Acceptable: Serum gel
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of specimen required to perform an assay once, including instrument and container dead space. Submitting the minimum specimen volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory or perform reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum specimen volume may result in a QNS (quantity not sufficient) result, requiring a second specimen to be collected.
Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Hemolysis | Mild OK; Gross reject |
| Lipemia | Mild OK; Gross OK |
| Icterus | NA |
| Other | NA |
Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the laboratory. Alternate acceptable temperature(s) are also included.
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days |
| Frozen | 14 days | |
| Ambient | 7 days |
Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Antinuclear antibodies are seen in a number of autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus, mixed connective tissue disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, and progressive systemic sclerosis.
One autoantibody that produces a distinct staining pattern is the anticentromere antibody (ACA). ACA occurs in patients with the calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal hypomotility, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia (CREST) syndrome variant of PSS.
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.
Negative (titer of <1:40)
Positives will be titered.
Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
A positive test for anticentromere antibody (ACA) is strongly associated with calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal hypomotility, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia (CREST) syndrome. In various reported clinical studies, ACA occur in 50% to 96% of patients with CREST syndrome.
The presence of detectable levels of ACA may antedate the appearance of diagnostic clinical features of CREST syndrome, in some cases by several years.
Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
Anticentromere antibody have also been described in some patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, and rarely, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or lupus erythematosus.
Clinical Reference
Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
Kallenberg CG: Anti-centromere antibodies (ACA). Clin Rheum 1990;9:136-139
Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
In this assay, autoantibodies in a test sample bind to antigens in the substrate (human epithelial cells, Hep-2). Washing removes excess serum from the substrate. Fluorescein conjugated (FITC) antiserum added to the substrate attaches to the bound autoantibody. After a second washing step to remove excess conjugate, the substrate is coverslipped and viewed for fluorescent patterns with a fluorescent microscope. Observation of a specific pattern on the substrate indicates the presence of autoantibodies in the test sample. (Zeus Scientific ANA/Hep-2 Cell Culture IFA Test System Package Insert, Product Series 2400/24000. Issued April 27, 2004)
Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed
Outlines the days and times the test is performed. This field reflects the day and time the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time required before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means assays are performed several times during the day.
Monday through Friday, Sunday 3rd shift
Analytic Time
Defines the amount of time it takes the laboratory to setup and perform the test. This is defined in number of days. The shortest interval of time expressed is "same day/1 day," which means the results may be available the same day that the sample is received in the testing laboratory. One day means results are available 1 day after the sample is received in the laboratory.
Maximum Laboratory Time
Defines the maximum time from specimen receipt at Mayo Medical Laboratories until the release of the test result
Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location
The location of the laboratory that performs the test
Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer's instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR), Investigation Use Only (IUO) product, or a Research Use Only (RUO) product.
CPT Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Medical Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
86255-Screen
86256-Titer (if appropriate)
LOINC® Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the result codes returned for this test or profile.
| Result ID | Reporting Name | LOINC Code |
|---|---|---|
| 11216 | Anti-Centromere Antibody | 16570-4 |


