Test ID NPABP Niemann-Pick Disease, Types A and B, Mutation Analysis
Useful For
Carrier testing of Niemann-Pick disease types A and B for individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry
Prenatal diagnosis of Niemann-Pick disease types A and B for at-risk pregnancies
Confirmation of suspected clinical diagnosis of Niemann-Pick disease types A and B in individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry
Reflex Tests
Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
---|---|---|---|
CULFB | Fibroblast Culture for Genetic Test | Yes | No |
CULAF | Amniotic Fluid Culture/Genetic Test | Yes | No |
MATCC | Maternal Cell Contamination, B | Yes | No |
Testing Algorithm
For prenatal specimens only: If amniotic fluid (nonconfluent cultured cells) is received, amniotic fluid culture/genetic test will be added and charged separately. If chorionic villus specimen (nonconfluent cultured cells) is received, fibroblast culture for genetic test will be added and charged separately. For any prenatal sample that is received, maternal cell contamination studies will be added.
Special Instructions
Method Name
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Analysis (PCR is utilized pursuant to a license agreement with Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.)
Reporting Name
Niemann-Pick Disease, Types A and BSpecimen Type
VariesForms:
1. New York Clients-Informed consent is required. Please document on the request form or electronic order that a copy is on file. An Informed Consent for Genetic Testing (T576) is available in Special Instructions.
2. Molecular Genetics: Biochemical Disorders Patient Information (T527) in Special Instructions
Specimen preferred to arrive within 96 hours of collection.
Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
Specimen Type: Whole blood
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Lavender top (EDTA) or yellow top (ACD)
Acceptable: Any anticoagulant
Specimen Volume: 2.6 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Invert several times to mix blood.
2. Send specimen in original tube.
Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred)/Refrigerated/Frozen
Due to the complexity of prenatal testing, consultation with the laboratory is required for all prenatal testing. Prenatal specimens can be sent Monday through Thursday and must be received by 5 p.m. CST on Friday in order to be processed appropriately. All prenatal specimens must be accompanied by a maternal blood specimen. Order MATCC / Maternal Cell Contamination, Molecular Analysis on the maternal specimen.
Specimen Type: Amniotic fluid
Container/Tube: Amniotic fluid container
Specimen Volume: 20 mL
Specimen Stability Information: Refrigerated (preferred)/Ambient
Specimen Type: Chorionic villi
Container/Tube: 15-mL tube containing 15 mL of transport media
Specimen Volume: 20 mg
Specimen Stability Information: Refrigerated
Acceptable:
Specimen Type: Confluent cultured cells
Container/Tube: T-25 flask
Specimen Volume: 2 Flasks
Collection Instructions: Submit confluent cultured cells from another laboratory.
Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred)/Refrigerated
Specimen Minimum Volume
Blood: 0.5 mL/Amniotic Fluid: 10 mL/Chorionic Villi: 5 mg
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
---|---|---|
Varies | Varies |
Clinical Information
Niemann-Pick disease (types A and B) is a lysosomal storage disease caused by a deficiency of the enzyme acid sphingomyelinase. The clinical presentation of type A disease is characterized by jaundice, progressive loss of motor skills, feeding difficulties, learning disabilities, and hepatosplenomegaly. Death usually occurs by age 3. Type B disease is milder, though variable in its clinical presentation. Most type B patients do not have neurologic involvement and survive to adulthood.
Mutations in the SMPD1 gene are known to cause Niemann-Pick disease types A and B. The carrier rate for Niemann-pick type A in the Ashkenazi Jewish population is 1 in 90. There are 3 common mutations in the Ashkenazi Jewish population: L302P, R496L, and fsP330. The carrier detection rate for Niemann-Pick type A with these 3 mutations using this assay is approximately 97%. The deltaR608 mutation accounts for approximately 90% of the type B mutant alleles in individuals from the Maghreb region of North Africa and 100% of the mutation alleles in Gran Canaria Island.
Reference Values
An interpretive report will be provided.
Cautions
This assay will not detect all of the mutations that cause Niemann-Pick disease types A and B. Therefore, the absence of a detectable mutation does not rule out the possibility that an individual is a carrier of or affected with this disease.
Test results should be interpreted in the context of clinical findings, family history, and other laboratory data. Errors in our interpretation of results may occur if information given is inaccurate or incomplete.
Rare polymorphisms exist that could lead to false-negative or false-positive results. If results obtained do not match the clinical findings, additional testing should be considered.
In rare cases, DNA alterations of undetermined significance may be identified.
A previous bone marrow transplant from an allogenic donor will interfere with testing. Call Mayo Medical Laboratories for instructions for testing patients who have received a bone marrow transplant.
Day(s) Performed
Tuesday; 10 a.m.
Report Available
3 daysPerforming Laboratory

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
81330-SMPD1 (Sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 1, acid lysosomal) (eg, Niemann-Pick disease, Type A) gene analysis, common variants (eg, R496L, L302P, fsP330)
Fibroblast Culture for Genetic Test
88233-Tissue culture, skin or solid tissue biopsy (if appropriate)
88240-Cryopreservation (if appropriate)
Amniotic Fluid Culture/Genetic Test
88235-Tissue culture for amniotic fluid (if appropriate)
88240-Cryopreservation (if appropriate)
Maternal Cell Contamination, B
81265-Comparative analysis using Short Tandem Repeat (STR) markers; patient and comparative specimen (eg, pre-transplant recipient and donor germline testing, post-transplant non-hematopoietic recipient germline [eg, buccal swab or other germline tissue sample] and donor testing, twin zygosity testing or maternal cell contamination of fetal cells (if appropriate)