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Test Code ACHE Acetylcholinesterase, Amniotic Fluid

Reporting Name

Acetylcholinesterase, AF

Useful For

Diagnosing open neural tube defects and, to a lesser degree, ventral wall defects

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Amniotic Fld


Additional Testing Requirements


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.



Necessary Information


Gestational age at amniocentesis is required.



Specimen Required


Container/Tube: Amniotic fluid container

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions: 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.


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.3 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Amniotic Fld Refrigerated (preferred) 365 days
  Frozen  365 days
  Ambient  14 days

Reference Values

Negative (reported as negative [normal] or positive [abnormal] for inhibitable acetylcholinesterase)

 

Reference values were established in conjunction with alpha-fetoprotein testing and include only amniotic fluids from pregnancies between 14 and 21 weeks gestation.

Day(s) and Time(s) Performed

Thursday; 8 a.m. (not reported on Saturday and Sunday)

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

82013

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
ACHE_ Acetylcholinesterase, AF 30106-9

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
9287 Acetylcholinesterase, AF 30106-9
GACHE Gestational Age (ACHE) 18185-9

Clinical Reference

1. Wilson RD, Audibert F, Brock JA, et al: Prenatal screening, diagnosis, and pregnancy management of fetal neural tube defects. J Obstet Gynaecol Can 2014 Oct;36(10):927-939

2. Palomaki GE, Bupp C, Gregg AR, et al: Laboratory screening and diagnosis of open neural tube defects, 2019 revision: a technical standard of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). Genet Med 2020 Mar;22(3):462-474

Method Description

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and pseudocholinesterase (PChE) catalyze the deesterification of acetylthiocholine iodide to form a white copper thiocholine precipitate. The white precipitate is acted upon by dithiooxamide to provide a dark-green color. If 1,5 bis (4-allyldimethylammoniumphenyl) pentane-3-1 dibromide (BW284C51) is present, it will inhibit the action of AChE on acetylthiocholine iodide but will not inhibit the activity of PChE. AChE and PChE are separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and then reacted with the inhibitor and substrate while remaining in the gel.(Barlow RD, Cuckle HS, Wald NJ: A simple method for amniotic fluid gel-acetylcholinesterase determination, suitable for routine use in the antenatal diagnosis of open neural tube defects. Clin Chim Acta 1982;119:137-142); Cowan T, Pasquali M: Laboratory Investigations of Inborn Errors of Metabolism. In Pediatric Endocrinology and Inborn Errors of Metabolism. Second Edition. Edited by K Sarafoglou, GF Hoffman, KS Roth. 2017. pp 1139-1158)

Analytic Time

8 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis OK
Gross icterus OK

Method Name

Polyacrylamide Electrophoresis

Forms

1. Second Trimester Maternal Screening Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP)/QUAD Screen Patient Information (T595) is required; see Special Instructions.

2. Biochemical Genetics Patient Information (T602) in Special Instructions.