Anti-GPC (Parietal Cell) (Blood)

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Auckland Te Toka Tumai

Test Guide

Anti-GPC (Parietal Cell) (Blood)

Testing Laboratory

Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland Hospital

Department

Immunology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

PCA

Test Code (Numeric Code)

7142

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

Serum

Transport

Ambient (8 - 24 °C) within 48 hours; Chilled (4 - 8 °C) if longer than 48 hours

Registration

PCA

Sample Stability

Up to 48 hours: 8 - 24 °C; Up to 14 days: 4 - 8 °C; Up to 6 months: -30 °C; Indefinite at - 80 °C

Associated Tests

Synonyms

Parietal cell antibody (PCA)
APCA
Pernicious Anaemia Autoantibody
Gastric Parietal Antibody

Turnaround Time

1 week

Variable, dependent on volume of requesting, typically 1-2 weeks

Specimen Type

Serum

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

SST II (Gold Cap)

Acceptable

Plain (Red Top)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

3.5

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

SST II (Gold Cap)

Acceptable

Plain(Microtainer)
SST(Microtainer)

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

Diagnostic Use

Autoimmune diseases are classified as either “tissue or organ specific” or as “non organ specific”. The first group are diseases such as thyroiditis, myasthenia gravis, diabetes mellitus, Addison disease. Some non-organ specific diseases are systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and progressive systemic sclerosis. The latter group is an autoimmune response to antigens common to various organs and tissues in the body whereas the former is an autoimmune response to antigens present in only one particular tissue or organ.

Parietal Cell Antibodies

Seen in 80 – 90% of patients with pernicious anaemia. Seen in 60% of females with atrophic gastritis without anaemia. 20% of patients with gastric carcinoma have positive results. 33% of patients with thyroiditis and Graves disease show positive parietal cell antibodies. 30% of patients with iron deficiency anaemia also have positive parietal cell antibodies. Only 1% of the normal population under 20 years of age have positive results while 12 – 15% of the normal population over 70 years show positive results. 6% of females between the ages of 30 and 70 have positive parietal cells.

Interpretation

Titre significance

Titre

Significance

Negative
Strong evidence against some common tissue?specific Autoimmune and non-organ specific diseases.

1:40 – 1:80 for PCA, AMA, Adrenal, SMA

A positive result in this titre range is regarded as being of borderline significance. Note: A repeat specimen should be tested in 2 weeks to check if there is an increase in titre.

1:160 or greater
A positive result in this titre range is of significance.

High SMA commonly seen in CAH. High ADR in idiopathic Addisons. High AMA commonly seen in PBC. High PCA commonly in P.A and chronic gastritis. High SAL in Sjogren syndrome with or without sicca complex.

Reference Intervals

Normally no Tissue Autoantibodies detected: <80/L80

Test Method

Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) - manual
HTZ robotic processing
Manual LED microscopy visual evaluation

Limitations / Interference

Grossly haemolysed and/or high lipaemic serum specimens.

Last updated: 18/03/2026

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

Testing Laboratory

Department

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

Test Code (Numeric Code)

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

Transport

Registration

Sample Stability

Associated Tests

Synonyms

Turnaround Time

Specimen Type

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Acceptable

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Acceptable

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

Minimum Volume (ml)

Transport to Lab

Diagnostic Use

Interpretation

Reference Intervals

Test Method

Limitations / Interference

Contact Information

Enquiry Form

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Titre	Significance
Negative	Strong evidence against some common tissue?specific Autoimmune and non-organ specific diseases.
1:40 – 1:80 for PCA, AMA, Adrenal, SMA	A positive result in this titre range is regarded as being of borderline significance. Note: A repeat specimen should be tested in 2 weeks to check if there is an increase in titre.
1:160 or greater	A positive result in this titre range is of significance. High SMA commonly seen in CAH. High ADR in idiopathic Addisons. High AMA commonly seen in PBC. High PCA commonly in P.A and chronic gastritis. High SAL in Sjogren syndrome with or without sicca complex.

Anti-GPC (Parietal Cell) (Blood)

Overview

Testing Laboratory

Department

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

Test Code (Numeric Code)

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

Transport

Registration

Sample Stability

Associated Tests

Synonyms

Turnaround Time

Specimen

Specimen Type

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Acceptable

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Acceptable

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

Referral

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

Minimum Volume (ml)

Transport to Lab

Clinical Information/Test Method

Diagnostic Use

Interpretation

Reference Intervals

Test Method

Limitations / Interference

Additional Information

Contact Information

Contact Information

Enquiry Form

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