Assay

Immunoglobulin G subclasses

Key Words

Immunoglobulin G subclasses, IgG subclasses, IgG4

 Specimen Collection

Serum (brown)

Turnaround time

5 days

This test is referred to another centre:                                                                                                                             Department of Clinical Chemistry and Immunology                                                                                                                   Level 4
Addenbrookes Hospital NHS Trust
Hills Road
Cambridge CB2 2QQ
Tel: 01223 217215
Fax: 01223 217794

Test indications

IgG subclasses are not available as a routine assay. Although it was initially thought that IgG subclass deficiencies explained infections in patients with normal total IgG levels, the link is now disputed. Testing for antibody levels against specific pathogens has now superseded IgG subclass testing except for a few rare indications such as diagnosing lymphocytic pancreatitis. All IgG subclass tests requests should be discussed with the laboratory in advance.

Methodology

Nephelometric

Interferences

Contact referral centre

Reference Range

IgG4 adult normal range: 0.00 – 1.3 g/L

Analytical error

Contact referral centre

Reference change value

N/A