Use of test
Purpose:
A specific variant of the human leukocyte antigen B27, HLA-B*27, is associated with a variety of inflammatory disorders.
Utility:
The presence of this variant indicates that a person is at increased likelihood of having seronegative arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, anterior uveitis, iritis, psoriatic arthritis, Reiter's syndrome and Crohn's disease.
The absence of this variant places a person at decreased likelihood of having these disorders, and of having severe manifestations of these disorders.
This is a not a diagnostic test and the result does not prove or exclude a specific clinical diagnosis in an affected person.
Ethical considerations:
This is an assay for heritable variants which can alter the probability that a person will develop a disorder. The test result is not, in isolation, diagnostic of a disease and the test result is not necessarily clinically significant for the patient's relatives.
Methodology:
Analysis of the gene sequence of the HLA-B genes for the presence of this specific variant.
Requesting the test
Ordering:
This test can be requested by any medical practitioner.
Sample required:
4 mL blood in EDTA. Specimens may be collected by the requesting practitioner or at any Sonic Healthcare collection centre (see link below).
To help ensure the quality of the test, a genetic test should be done with a dedicated sample whenever possible i.e. a sample collected specifically for that test rather than a sample that is used for multiple tests.
We recommend that the patient or another adult check the labelling of request forms and sample tubes.
>Link to Sonic Healthcare collection centres
Turnaround time:
2 business days.
Price:
This test has a Medicare rebate which, subject to the requirements of the Medicare descriptor being met, may cover all or part of the cost.
Rebate:
The Medicare details, including descriptor and schedule fee, are listed under MBS item 73320.