Anti-Parietal Cell Antibody

Alternate test name

APCA

Lab area

Clinical Biochemistry - Immunology

Method and equipment

Indirect immunofluorescence (IFA), HEp-2 cell substrate

Expected turn-around time

7 days

Specimen type

Serum

Specimen requirements

Send 0.3 mL for 1 test or 0.6 mL min for several tests from:

ANA, HEp-2 IgG
ANCA, IgG
EMA, IgA
GBM, IgG
LKM, IgG
PCA, IgG
SMA, IgG
dsDNA, IgG (Cithidia luciliae)

Storage and transportation

Frozen

Shipping information

The Hospital for Sick Children

Rapid Response Laboratory

555 University Avenue, Room 3642

Toronto, ON

Canada

M5G 1X8

Phone: 416-813-7200

Toll Free: 1-855-381-3212

Hours: 7 days/week, 24 hours/day

Requisition

Anti-Parietal Cell Antibody - requisition

Background and clinical significance

The parietal cells make and release a substance that the body needs to absorb vitamin B12. Antiparietal cell antibodies is a test that measures the presence of antibodies against gastric parietal cells. Ninety percent of people with pernicious anemia test positive for antiparietal cell antibodies. Positive APCA appears in chronic atrophic gastritis, pernicious anemia, funicular myelosis, and autoimmune endocrinopathy.