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SSA Antibody

Sjogren, Anti-Ro, Ro Antibodies, SSA Antibodies

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB6989, Beaker: SJAA, Antrim #30964

Department

Special Chemistry

Specimen Collection Criteria

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

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

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

Positive, Negative.

Test Methodology

Multiplex Flow Assay.

Interpretation

SSA (Ro) antibodies are seen in 70-75% of Sjogren's, 30-40% of SLE and 5-10% of progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS).

The antibody to SSA (Ro) occurs in 62% of patients with "ANA negative" SLE, 63% of patients with subacute cutaneous erythematosus, 75% of the homozygous C2-deficient patients with an SLE-like picture, and in 80% of patients with Sjogren's syndrome who have vasculitis.

Pregnant SLE patients should be screened for anti-SSA antibodies. These antibodies have been closely associated with the development of neonatal congenital heart block and neonatal lupus.

Fluctuating titers of anti-SSA antibodies have been seen in some SLE patients. In these patients changes in anti-SSA levels often correlated with disease activity and anti-DNA antibody levels.

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

The SSA (Ro) antibody assay is used to aid in the diagnosis and prognosis of certain rheumatic autoimmune diseases.

CPT Codes

86235
LOINC: 31625-7

Contacts

Last Updated

11/20/2024