Specimen need not be refrigerated or frozen. Collect 2-3 ml of blood in a red top or serum separator tube. If possible, separate serum from clot and place into white tube provided with Immco Diagnostics’ collection kits. If separation facilities are not available, the blood can be sent in the tube used for collection.

Sample is stable at ambient temperature during shipment. If sample is stored prior to shipment, it is stable refrigerated (2-8˚C) up to five days and frozen (-20˚C or lower) up to one year.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a distinct chronic inflammatory liver disease characterized by the attack of the immune system directed against “self” antigens, especially those expressed in the liver. Liver kidney microsomal antibodies can be induced not only by autoimmune mechanisms, but also by drugs such as tienic acid, dihydralazine, halothane, phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, and by Hepatitis C and D infections. AIH consists of two separate disease groups: Type 1 and Type 2. Their distinction is based on the presence of marker autoantibodies in serum of affected patients. AIH Type 1 is characterized by antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-smooth muscle antibodies (ASMA). Type 1 is the more common type of AIH, accounting for 60-70% of patients with AIH. Type 2 is a somewhat rarer disease characterized by the presence of autoantibodies against microsomal antigens of liver and kidney and the absence of ANA and ASMA. Clinical Relevance: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a distinct chronic inflammatory liver disease characterized by the attack of the immune system directed against “self” antigens, especially those expressed in the liver. Liver kidney microsomal antibodies can be induced not only by autoimmune mechanisms, but also by drugs such as tienic acid, dihydralazine, halothane, phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, and by Hepatitis C and D infections. AIH consists of two separate disease groups: Type 1 and Type 2. Their distinction is based on the presence of marker autoantibodies in serum of affected patients. AIH Type 1 is characterized by antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-smooth muscle antibodies (ASMA). Type 1 is the more common type of AIH, accounting for 60-70% of patients with AIH. Type 2 is a somewhat rarer disease characterized by the presence of autoantibodies against microsomal antigens of liver and kidney and the absence of ANA and ASMA. Clinical Relevance: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a distinct chronic inflammatory liver disease characterized by the attack of the immune system directed against “self” antigens, especially those expressed in the liver. Liver kidney microsomal antibodies can be induced not only by autoimmune mechanisms, but also by drugs such as tienic acid, dihydralazine, halothane, phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, and by Hepatitis C and D infections. AIH consists of two separate disease groups: Type 1 and Type 2. Their distinction is based on the presence of marker autoantibodies in serum of affected patients. AIH Type 1 is characterized by antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-smooth muscle antibodies (ASMA). Type 1 is the more common type of AIH, accounting for 60-70% of patients with AIH. Type 2 is a somewhat rarer disease characterized by the presence of autoantibodies against microsomal antigens of liver and kidney and the absence of ANA and ASMA. Clinical Relevance: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a distinct chronic inflammatory liver disease characterized by the attack of the immune system directed against “self” antigens, especially those expressed in the liver. Liver kidney microsomal antibodies can be induced not only by autoimmune mechanisms, but also by drugs such as tienic acid, dihydralazine, halothane, phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, and by Hepatitis C and D infections. AIH consists of two separate disease groups: Type 1 and Type 2. Their distinction is based on the presence of marker autoantibodies in serum of affected patients. AIH Type 1 is characterized by antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-smooth muscle antibodies (ASMA). Type 1 is the more common type of AIH, accounting for 60-70% of patients with AIH. Type 2 is a somewhat rarer disease characterized by the presence of autoantibodies against microsomal antigens of liver and kidney and the absence of ANA and ASMA. Clinical Relevance: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a distinct chronic inflammatory liver disease characterized by the attack of the immune system directed against “self” antigens, especially those expressed in the liver. Liver kidney microsomal antibodies can be induced not only by autoimmune mechanisms, but also by drugs such as tienic acid, dihydralazine, halothane, phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, and by Hepatitis C and D infections. AIH consists of two separate disease groups: Type 1 and Type 2. Their distinction is based on the presence of marker autoantibodies in serum of affected patients. AIH Type 1 is characterized by antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-smooth muscle antibodies (ASMA). Type 1 is the more common type of AIH, accounting for 60-70% of patients with AIH. Type 2 is a somewhat rarer disease characterized by the presence of autoantibodies against microsomal antigens of liver and kidney and the absence of ANA and ASMA.