Acetylcholine Receptor Antibodies

Also known as: ACR; ACHR; Myasthenia antibody; Motor end plate antibody; MG antibody

Acetylcholine receptor antibodies are a highly sensitive and specific marker for generalised myasthenia gravis (80-90% sensitivity); up to 90% of generalised MG cases are ACHR positive for ACHR antibodies whilst in pure ocular MG up to 50% of patients are positive.

Specimen requirements

Serum -1ml
Plasma and CSF are not acceptable

Cost

• UK NHS - 15 UKP
• International and Private - 20 UKP

Laboratory turnaround time

14 days

Laboratory method

Radioimmunoassay (RIA)

Reference range/units

Negative is <5 X10-10 mole per litre

Low Positive is 5 to 10 X10-10 mole per litre

Positive is >10 X10-10 mole per litre

Associated tests

• Muscle Specific Kinase (MuSK) - found in some Acetylcholine receptor antibody negative Mysathenia Gravis patients.
• High sensitivity Myasthenia Gravis screen (Clustered ACHR antibodies/MuSK antibodies/LRP4 antibodies) - a more sensitive method. A cell based assay.

Sample stability

2 months at 2-8ºC

Shipping and storage

UK and Ireland

Ambient temperature and first class post. Hays DX users please enquire via email below.

International

Ambient temperature if courier will deliver within 72 hours otherwise consider refrigerated transport. Freezing is not a requirement.

Ensure delivery Monday to Friday 09:00 - 17:30.

Further information and contact details

For further information, email immunology.office@nhs.net