Due to unanticipated issues with one of our analysers, we are currently unable to provide testing through Awanui Auckland for some autoimmune and infectious serology tests. This will affect testing in both Awanui Auckland and Northland.
To ensure quality results, we have elected to send the majority of testing to Awanui Wellington for the foreseeable future (starting 25 February 2025).
We have no concerns about results released to date.
For many results, there will be no change other than the reporting laboratory. However, for some assays the reporting format and reference ranges has changed, and the vetting and commenting process is slightly different. These are highlighted in the table below.
| Auckland platform and reference range (normal) | Wellington platform and reference range (normal) | Interpretation | ||
| Coeliac tTG IgA | Bioplex <15 | Bioflash <20 | If monitoring for compliance with gluten-free diet cannot compare results directly between platforms due to different range | |
| Coeliac DGP IgG | ELISA <20 | Bioflash <20 | If monitoring for compliance with gluten-free diet cannot compare results directly between platforms due to different range | |
| Cardiolipin IgG | Bioplex | Bioflash | Although the reference range is the same, the test will be reported with different units. Serial results may differ between platforms reported | |
| Cardiolipin IgM | Bioplex | Not performed.* | ||
| Measles IgG | Bioplex | Vircell monospot | Same reporting | |
| Mumps IgG | Bioplex | Vircell monospot | Same reporting | |
| Varicella IgG | Bioplex | Vircell monospot | Same reporting | |
| Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) | Some autoantibody testing using immunofluorescence is still being done in Auckland – antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) and tissue autoantibodies. We are still performing liver blots for liver-specific autoantibodies. Thyroid autoantibodies, extractable nuclear antibodies (ENAs) and dsDNA autoantibodies are still being done in Auckland. | |||
| MPO PR3 | Bioplex <1.0 | Bioflash <20 | Serial results can differ between platforms. This difference may not be due to a clinical change. | |
| Anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCA) | ANCA on immunofluorescence FIRST and then performing MPO/PR3 autoantibodies on those patients that are positive. | ANCA will have MPO/PR3 autoantibodies tested FIRST and then will have immunofluorescence done ONLY if either of these are positive (for first time positive presentations ONLY). | As per MPO PR3. ** | |
*Cardiolipin IgM antibodies are not available in Wellington. If this test is specifically required, please discuss with the immunopathologist and we can organise a send-away.
** Endomysial antibody (EMA) testing and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) are both done via immunofluorescence but will now be performed in Wellington.
Please note that the ANCA screening protocols are different between Awanui Auckland and Wellington. In Auckland, samples will have ANCA done via immunofluorescence and if this is positive MPO/PR3 autoantibodies will then be done. In Wellington. In Wellington, patients for ANCA will have MPO/PR3 autoantibodies tested FIRST and then will have immunofluorescence done ONLY if either of these are positive (for first time positive presentations ONLY).
We do not anticipate any clinically significant delays to results and thank you for your patience at this time. Please continue to contact Awanui Auckland for any questions or interpretations of the results LabtestsImmunology.AUK@awanuilabs.co.nz or 09 574 7398.