Gold serum separator (SST) tube

Immediately following collection, thoroughly mix sample by gently inverting 5 times

1. Allow sample to clot for a minimum of 30 minutes
2. Spin 
3. Transfer serum to a Transfer vial/tube with cap - 12mL (LabCorp), labelled as serum, within 2 hours of sample collection

Transfer vial/tube with cap - 12mL (LabCorp)

Red serum vial/tube, 5 mL

1. Allow sample to clot
2. Spin 
3. Transfer serum to a Transfer vial/tube with cap - 12mL (LabCorp), labelled as serum, within 2 hours of sample collection

Ambient (preferred) - 5 days

Refrigerated (OK) - 5 days

Frozen - 1 year

• Grossly hemolyzed
• Bacterial contamination
• Lipemic specimen
• Icteric specimen
• Non-serum specimen types

Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

Negative

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune mediated immunobullous skin disorder found mainly in the elderly population and is characterized by frequent occurring of tense blisters and erythema. Antibodies are directed to the basement membrane zone and are found in the serum of patients as linear IgG or C3 sediments. Target antigens of the autoantibodies in BP patient serum are BP230 and BP180, also called BPAG1 and BPAG2. Molecular weight of these antigens is 230 kD and 180 kD respectively. BP180 is thought to be the direct target of the autoantibody because of its location, and the autoantibodies against BP230 are thought to be secondarily produced. The antibodies against BP180 are thought to be pathogenic, because the rabbit antibody against mouse in the NC16a region of BP180 forms blisters similar to BP when injected into neonatal mice. The main epitope of BP180 is located in the region close to cell membrane called NC16a and most patient serum reacts with the recombinant NC16a protein. Serum levels of BP180 co-relate with the disease activity.