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Department of Immunology

Notes

  • Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) is the major autoantigen in neuromyelitis optica (NMO, or Devic's disease). Antibodies to AQP4 are found in >80% of NMO patients and around 50% of patients with longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. They are infrequent in patients with optic neuritis without spinal cord involvement.
  • Test performed by Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Sample Requirements

Clotted blood. (No patient preparation or special handling required)

Adult

5ml Gold-top SST tube or 3.5ml Rust-top gel tube (Trust users only)

Paediatric

1ml serum Sample

Can also be analysed on CSF

Time limit for add-on

3 days

Turnaround Times

28 days

Reference Range

Negative = Normal

Information:

Updated: January 2025