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HelpTest Code PCAB Parietal Cell Antibodies, IgG, Serum
Additional Codes
Sunquest: PCABM
EPIC: LAB514
Reporting Name
Parietal Cell Ab, IgG, SUseful For
Evaluating patients suspected of having pernicious anemia or autoimmune-mediated deficiency of vitamin B12 with or without megaloblastic anemia
Method Name
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Specimen Type
SerumSpecimen Required
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.4 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 21 days | |
| Frozen | 21 days |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Gross lipemia | Reject |
| Gross icterus | OK |
| Heat-treated specimen | Reject |
Reference Values
Negative: ≤20.0 Units
Equivocal: 20.1-24.9 Units
Positive: ≥25.0 Units
Reference values apply to all ages.
Day(s) Performed
Tuesday, Friday
CPT Code Information
83516
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| PCAB | Parietal Cell Ab, IgG, S | 40960-7 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| PCAB | Parietal Cell Ab, IgG, S | 40960-7 |
Clinical Information
Pernicious anemia (PA) is a common form of cobalamin (vitamin B12) deficiency anemia.(1) The disorder is characterized by abnormally large (megaloblastic) red blood cells and atrophic body gastritis (ABG) resulting from autoimmune-mediated destruction of parietal cells that line the stomach wall. The destruction of parietal cells leads to impaired production of intrinsic factor (IF) required for the absorption of vitamin B12. PA is frequently associated with other autoimmune conditions, such as autoimmune thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes mellitus, and vitiligo.(2-5) Diagnosis of PA relies on histologically proven ABG, peripheral blood examination showing megaloblastic anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, parietal cell antibodies (PCA) with or without intrinsic factor antibodies (IFA), and elevated serum gastrin from loss of acid secretion.(2-4) PCA bind to the alpha- and beta-subunits of the membrane-bound H(+)/K(+)-ATPase while IFA bind directly to intrinsic factor, blocking its ability to bind vitamin B12.(1,4) Both PCA and IFA are useful diagnostic tests for PA, however, compared to PCA, IFA are more specific and lack diagnostic sensitivity.(2,4,5)