PLEASE NOTE : This test is not covered by a Medicare rebate - a $210 fee will be sent to the patient involved.

A SVH Pathology form (link below) must also be filled out and sent to the laboratory.

When an NMDA or VGKC antibody test is requested, an email must be sent to the laboratory giving the clinical indication for the test and the urgency (ie for immediate transport or can be batched), as well as contact details for the person requesting the test in case further communication is required. If no email is received, the test will not be sent. For requests outside of neurology, it is expected that the patient will have been reviewed by neurology, or at the very least discussed with neurology, to determine the appropriateness of sending the test.  As previously established, NMDA antibody testing will only be done on CSF unless there is a valid reason why a lumbar puncture cannot be performed.

The email should be directed to:

rebecca.amoore@easternhealth.org.au

and

ailie.connell@easternhealth.org.au

SVH request form

https://www.svhm.org.au/ArticleDocuments/1798/Autoimmune-Encephalitis-Testing-Requisition-form-V5-2017.pdf.aspx?embed=y