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.

The presence of circulating basement membrane zone (BMZ) antibodies is characteristic of patients with bullous pemphigoid (BP) and is routinely employed in making the diagnosis. The positive tests, however, occur in 50-70% of patients with BP, thus necessitating consideration of other tests especially in patients who are seronegative. Studies have shown that BMZ antibodies primarily are of IgG4 subclass and are present in all BMZ antibody positive BP cases. Of BP patients negative for BMZ antibodies, 72% were found positive when tested for IgG4 subclass antibodies. Testing for IgG4 subclass BMZ antibodies enhances the sensitivity of serum tests from 68.5% to 91%. Clinical Relevance: The presence of circulating basement membrane zone (BMZ) antibodies is characteristic of patients with bullous pemphigoid (BP) and is routinely employed in making the diagnosis. The positive tests, however, occur in 50-70% of patients with BP, thus necessitating consideration of other tests especially in patients who are seronegative. Studies have shown that BMZ antibodies primarily are of IgG4 subclass and are present in all BMZ antibody positive BP cases. Of BP patients negative for BMZ antibodies, 72% were found positive when tested for IgG4 subclass antibodies. Testing for IgG4 subclass BMZ antibodies enhances the sensitivity of serum tests from 68.5% to 91%. Clinical Relevance: The presence of circulating basement membrane zone (BMZ) antibodies is characteristic of patients with bullous pemphigoid (BP) and is routinely employed in making the diagnosis. The positive tests, however, occur in 50-70% of patients with BP, thus necessitating consideration of other tests especially in patients who are seronegative. Studies have shown that BMZ antibodies primarily are of IgG4 subclass and are present in all BMZ antibody positive BP cases. Of BP patients negative for BMZ antibodies, 72% were found positive when tested for IgG4 subclass antibodies. Testing for IgG4 subclass BMZ antibodies enhances the sensitivity of serum tests from 68.5% to 91%. Clinical Relevance: The presence of circulating basement membrane zone (BMZ) antibodies is characteristic of patients with bullous pemphigoid (BP) and is routinely employed in making the diagnosis. The positive tests, however, occur in 50-70% of patients with BP, thus necessitating consideration of other tests especially in patients who are seronegative. Studies have shown that BMZ antibodies primarily are of IgG4 subclass and are present in all BMZ antibody positive BP cases. Of BP patients negative for BMZ antibodies, 72% were found positive when tested for IgG4 subclass antibodies. Testing for IgG4 subclass BMZ antibodies enhances the sensitivity of serum tests from 68.5% to 91%.