Lab Test

Sjogren SSB Antibody

Sjogren, anti-La, La Antibodies, SSB Antibodies

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB6990, Beaker: SJBA1, Antrim #30949

Department

Special Chemistry

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: One Gold-top SST tube. (Minimum Whole Blood: 2.0 mL)

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then immediately centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F) the centrifuged collection tube within two hours of collection. (Minimum Serum: 0.5 mL)

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Centrifuged collection tube, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum Serum: 0.5 mL)

Rejection Criteria

  • Plasma specimens.
  • Severely hemolyzed, lipemic or icteric specimens. 

In-Lab Processing

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then immediately centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Room temperature is acceptable for a maximum of two hours. (Minimum Serum: 0.5 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Centrifuged SST Tubes and Microtainers® with Separator Gels
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Red-top Tubes and Microtainers® without Separator Gels
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Serum Specimens (Pour-Overs)
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 2 months

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days

Laboratory

Royal Oak Special Testing Laboratory

Performed

Monday – Friday.
Results available within 2 business days.

Reference Range

Negative:  < 1.0 U
Equivocal:  NA
Positive:  ≥ 1.0

Test Methodology

Multiplex Flow Assay.

Interpretation

SSB antibodies are seen in 50-60% of Sjogren's and are specific if they are the only antibodies present. Fifteen to twenty-five percent of SLE and 5-10% of progressive systemic sclerosis patients are also positive.

The presence of anti-SSB antibodies is associated more frequently with a milder form of autoimmune disease and their detection can aid in the diagnosis and therapy of rheumatic diseases.

SLE patients that produce both SSA and SSB antibodies have a much lower incidence of nephritis than those patients producing anti-SSA antibodies alone.

Clinical Utility

SSB antibody assay is used to aid in the diagnosis and prognosis of certain rheumatic autoimmune diseases. Several studies point to the use of SSB antibodies as a serological marker for SS-sicca complex, as SSB antibodies are detected in approximately 60% of such patients.

CPT Codes

86235
LOINC: 31626-5

Contacts

Last Updated

2/10/2024

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