Acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies
Category | Immunology |
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Test background |
Acetylcholine is an excitatory neurotransmitter that signals through its (nicotinic) receptors at the neuromuscular junction to allow skeletal muscle to contract. Acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies are a sensitive and specific marker for generalised myasthenia gravis (MG) and found in around 85% of MG patients. They are also seen in 50% of patients with pure ocular MG. See also MuSK antibody |
Clinical Indications |
Fatigueable muscle weakness |
Reference range | <5 x 10-10 mol/L (range derived by the referral laboratory) |
Sample & container required | Serum (rust top or yellow tube) |
Sample volume | 5-10 mL blood (1 mL serum) |
Turnaround time | 28 days |
Notes | Referral Test. Not performed in house. Referral Laboratory: The Oxford Immunology Laboratory. |