Test ID: RTA
Reticulin Antibodies, Serum
Secondary ID
A test code used for billing and in test definitions created prior to November 2011
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
Investigation of celiac disease (CD)
Reticulin antibodies are no longer considered useful in the diagnosis of CD. Mayo Medical Laboratories recommends ordering TTGA/82587 Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) Antibody, IgA, Serum or EMA/9360 Endomysial Antibodies (IgA), Serum for evaluation of patients suspected of CD or dermatitis herpetiformis. See Celiac Disease Algorithm in Multimedia.
Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test
Indirect Immunofluorescence
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
Celiac Dis See 82587, 81766, 9275 & 9360
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 reject |
| Icterus | Mild OK; Gross OK |
| 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 |
Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Celiac disease (CD) is a genetically inherited autoimmune digestive disease and tends to occur in families of European descent. Family members of people with CD or dermatitis herpetiformis are at increased risk of CD.
CD is characterized by a permanent intolerance to gluten. When gluten is ingested, the immune system triggers an isolated inflammatory response in the small intestinal mucosa.
A lifetime gluten-free diet can completely stop the immune response. Once the patient is on a gluten-free diet, the small intestine begins to repair itself and the antibody levels decline and eventually disappear. However, reintroduction of gluten-containing products stimulates the immune response again. A significant reduction in morbidity and mortality occurs when patients adhere to the gluten-fee diet.
Patients with CD produce various autoantibodies, including endomysial (EMA), tissue transglutaminase (tTG), gliadin, and reticulin antibodies, as part of the immune response. IgA antibodies usually predominate although patients may also produce IgG autoantibodies. The levels of these antibodies decline following institution of a gluten-free diet.
tTG is the primary autoantigen recognized by EMA antibodies in patients with CD and is currently considered the most useful first level screening test for CD. Reticulin antibodies are no longer considered useful in the diagnosis of CD, because they lack the sensitivity and specificity of the EMA and tTG tests.
Serological screening offers a minimally invasive option for rapid identification of those likely to have CD and to select those who should be subjected to biopsy. Markedly positive (serologically) individuals are highly likely to have CD and should undergo biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
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
If positive, results are titered.
Reference values apply to all ages.
Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
Decreasing titers suggest successful avoidance of gluten.
Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
No significant cautionary statements
Clinical Reference
Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
1. Murray JA: The widening spectrum of celiac disease. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;69:354-365
2. Lazzari R, Volta U, Bianchi FB, et al: R[1] reticulin antibodies: markers of celiac disease in children on a normal diet and on gluten challenge. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 1984;3:516-522
Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
Indirect immunofluorescence on mouse kidney substrate. (Eterman KP, Feltkamp TE: Antibodies to gluten and reticulin in gastrointestinal diseases. Clin Exp Immunol 1978;31:92-99; Lazzari R, Volta U, Bianchi FB, et al: R[1] reticulin antibodies: markers of celiac disease in children on a normal diet and on gluten challenge. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 1984;3:516-522). All patient specimens are initially screened at 1:20 and 1:40 dilutions.
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 Sunday; 11 a.m.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 9275 | Reticulin Abs, S | 17521-6 |


