Immunoglobulin G, Subclasses (1-4)

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Category:

Turnaround Time: 3 - 5 days
CPT Code:

82784, 82787(4)

Test Type: 3 mL Serum
Stability Time:

Temperature

Period

Room temperature

3 days

Refrigerated

7 days

Frozen

13 days

Freeze/thaw cycles

Stable x3

Overview:

Study patients with recurrent bacterial infections or allergy.

This procedure is not suitable for the measurement of samples containing rheumatoid factor, paraproteins, other circulating immune complexes (CICs), or for lipemic or hemolyzed samples due to the unpredictable degree of nonspecific light scatter these sample types may generate. The results obtained from measuring IgG subclasses should not be used in assessing atopy in allergic patients.

There are four subtypes, of which IgG1 and IgG2 comprise 85% of the total. IgG1 and IgG3 fix complement best; IgG3 is hyperaggregable and effects serum viscosity disproportionately.

IgG antibody responses to certain antigens occur to a greater extent in one type of IgG subclass than another. Therefore, some patients with normal total IgG levels may have problems with pyogenic infections because they do not produce IgG2 or combinations of IgG2, IgG3, and/or IgG4. Some clinically significant IgG subclass deficiencies occur in patients who have IgA deficiency.

The four subclasses of IgG differ in the constant regions of their heavy chains. A patient may have a normal total IgG yet still have a significant decrease in one subclass. IgG1 deficiencies are associated with EBV infections, IgG2 with sinorespiratory infections and infections with encapsulated bacteria, IgG3 with sinusitis and otitis media, and IgG4 with allergies, ataxia telangiectasia, and sinorespiratory infections. See tables in individual subclass listings.

Collection Details:

Collection Instructions:

State patient's age on the test request form.

Red-top tube or gel-barrier tube.

Transfer serum to a plastic transport tube.

Refrigerate.