Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibody

What the laboratory says this test is for

About 10-30% of patients continue with lingering symptoms four or more weeks after COVID-19 infection, including those who had mild, or no symptoms termed as post-COVID conditions. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provided Interim Guidance for Assessment and Testing for Evaluating and Caring for Patients with Post-COVID Conditions. The CDC recommends laboratory testing be guided by the patient history, physical examination, and clinical findings. Specialized tests might be considered if symptoms persist for 12 weeks post COVID. This panel is to be considered for persistent symptoms such as joint pains or rheumatological conditions.

What the laboratory says this test is for

A synthetic circular peptide containing citrulline called CCP IgG (cyclic citrullinated peptide) has been found to be better at discriminating Rheumatoid Arthritis patients from patients with other diseases such as hepatitis C infection. Rheumatoid Arthritis Classification Criteria include CCP IgG Antibody, rheumatoid factor, C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Approximately 70% of patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis are positive for Anti-CCP IgG, while only about 2% of random blood donors and disease controls subjects are positive.

What the laboratory says this test is for

This panel can be helpful in the diagnosis of systemic rheumatic disorders and other autoimmune diseases. Although the test for antinuclear antibodies (ANA) is strongly associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the laboratory evaluation for individuals with clinical suspicion of a variety of autoimmune diseases often begins with an ANA screen. This panel simultaneously tests for ANA (using immunofluorescence) as well as the important specific autoantibodies associated with a positive ANA. It also includes testing for complement proteins, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, systemic sclerosis, polymyositis, anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome, and autoimmune thyroid disease.

What the laboratory says this test is for

This test can be helpful in the diagnosis of autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Specimens with positive results for antinuclear antibodies (ANA) by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) are subsequently tested for a series of ANA-specific autoantibodies in cascade tiers. The first tier focuses on autoantibodies associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and mixed connective tissue disease; the second tier detects autoantibodies seen in Sjogren syndrome, systemic sclerosis and polymyositis; and the third tier includes markers of the limited form of systemic sclerosis and neuropsychiatric SLE. This screen also includes the following markers of rheumatoid arthritis: rheumatoid factor, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody and anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin antibody.Note that the cascade stops with the first tier in which a positive antibody result is observed. Therefore, even if an antibody included in a subsequent tier is present, it will not be reported with this test. If the ANA IFA result is positive but all the specific autoantibodies tested in the cascade antibody tests are negative, the patient may still have an autoimmune disease other than those typically associated with the antibodies tested.

What the laboratory says this test is for

Autoantibody testing has a major role in the diagnosis of RA. This panel includes Rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) and anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin (MCV). RF is found in a majority of patients with RA but is not specific for the diagnosis. Anti-CCP antibody is more sensitive and highly specific. RF and anti-CCP are included in the most recent classification criteria for RA. The past several years have seen a search for biomarkers which might increase sensitivity in order to identify the minority of RA patients who are negative for either RF or CCP, especially early in the course of disease. The addition of anti-MCV increases sensitivity for RA when tested together with RF and CCP.

What the laboratory says this test is for

The combination of RF and anti-CCP antibodies provide greater specificity for the diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). CCP antibodies may be present earlier than RF and often indicate increased erosive disease in RA.