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23213 Acetylcholinesterase, Amniotic Fluid (ACHE_)

Acetylcholinesterase, Amniotic Fluid (ACHE_)
Test Code: AFACESO
Synonyms/Keywords
​AChE-AF (Acetylcholinesterase, Amniotic Fluid), Amniotic Fluid, Acetylcholinesterase
Useful For
​Diagnosing open neural tube defects, and to a lesser degree, ventral wall defect
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
Amniotic fluid ​ Amniotic fluid container​ ​ 1 mL​ 0.3 mL​ ​
Collection Processing Instructions
​1. A specimen from the 14 to 18 week gestational period of pregnancy is preferred. Amniotic fluid from the 14 to 21 week gestational period is acceptable.
 
Additional Information:
1. Gestational age at amniocentesis is required.
2. If chromosome studies are also requested, see CHRAF / Chromosome Analysis, Amniotic Fluid for specimen requirements. When requested with chromosome analysis, the specimen cannot be frozen.
Forms:
1. Second Trimester Maternal Screening Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP)/QUAD Screen Patient Information Sheet is required; see Special Instructions
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Amniotic Fld​ ​ ​ Refrigerated (preferred)​ 365 days​
Frozen ​ 365 days​
Ambient ​ 14 days​
Interference

​False-positive acetylcholinesterase (AChE) results may occur when blood is present in the amniotic fluid specimen or due to contamination from fetal calf serum.

Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Report Available Methodology/Instrumentation
Mayo Clinic Laboratories​
 Tuesday, Thursday​ 5 to 8 days​
Polyacrylamide Electrophoresis​
Reference Lab
Mayo Clinic Laboratories
Reference Range Information
Negative (reported as negative [normal] or positive [abnormal] for inhibitable acetylcholinesterase). Reference values were established in conjuction with alpha-fetoprotein testing and include only amniotic fluids from pregnancies between 14 and 21 weeks gestation.
Interpretation
​The presence of acetylcholinesterase in amniotic fluid is consistent with open neural tube defects and, to a lesser degree, ventral wall defects.
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
​82013 ​ ​ ​ ​
Synonyms/Keywords
​AChE-AF (Acetylcholinesterase, Amniotic Fluid), Amniotic Fluid, Acetylcholinesterase
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
​Cerner ​Acetylcholinesterase Amniotic Fluid (ACHE)
​COM ​Amnio Acetylcholinesterase SO (ACHE_)
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
Amniotic fluid ​ Amniotic fluid container​ ​ 1 mL​ 0.3 mL​ ​
Collection Processing
​1. A specimen from the 14 to 18 week gestational period of pregnancy is preferred. Amniotic fluid from the 14 to 21 week gestational period is acceptable.
 
Additional Information:
1. Gestational age at amniocentesis is required.
2. If chromosome studies are also requested, see CHRAF / Chromosome Analysis, Amniotic Fluid for specimen requirements. When requested with chromosome analysis, the specimen cannot be frozen.
Forms:
1. Second Trimester Maternal Screening Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP)/QUAD Screen Patient Information Sheet is required; see Special Instructions
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Amniotic Fld​ ​ ​ Refrigerated (preferred)​ 365 days​
Frozen ​ 365 days​
Ambient ​ 14 days​
Interference

​False-positive acetylcholinesterase (AChE) results may occur when blood is present in the amniotic fluid specimen or due to contamination from fetal calf serum.

Useful For
​Diagnosing open neural tube defects, and to a lesser degree, ventral wall defect
Reference Range Information
Negative (reported as negative [normal] or positive [abnormal] for inhibitable acetylcholinesterase). Reference values were established in conjuction with alpha-fetoprotein testing and include only amniotic fluids from pregnancies between 14 and 21 weeks gestation.
Interpretation
​The presence of acetylcholinesterase in amniotic fluid is consistent with open neural tube defects and, to a lesser degree, ventral wall defects.
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Report Available Methodology/Instrumentation
Mayo Clinic Laboratories​
 Tuesday, Thursday​ 5 to 8 days​
Polyacrylamide Electrophoresis​
Reference Lab
Mayo Clinic Laboratories
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
​82013 ​ ​ ​ ​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.