PNH Evaluation

US LABS now offers High-sensitivity flow cytometry testing that can help physicians identify and monitor patients with PNH clones, allowing for earlier introduction of treatment.
While Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare and complex hematopoietic disorder thesymptoms of PNH are nonspecific, ranging from thrombosis, abdominal pain, severe fatigue, dyspnea, dysphagia, hemoglobinuria, and anemia. PNH is usually a debilitating, progressive condition due to chronic hemolysis, although cases of spontaneous remission have occurred at 10 to 20 years after initial diagnosis. The median age of patients at the time diagnosis ranges from 30s to early 40s, but PNH can present at any age.  Median survival has been documented at 10 years from the time of diagnosis.

PNH Evaluation by Flow Cytometry

  • Flow cytometry is recommended for PNH evaluation.
  • US LABS’ PNH test result includes quantitative clone size of both granuloyctes and monocytes, as well as the breakdown of red blood cells (erythrocytes) into subytpes I, II, and III.
  • This is preferred over erythrocytes alone, which may underestimate the presence of the PNH clone due to chronic hemolysis or transfusions.
  • FLAER (fluorescent aerolysin reagent) permits direct determination of expression of the GPI-anchor.
  • High-sensitivity flow from US LABS allows for detection of smaller PNH clones than standard flow cytometry.  This allows for accurate and possibly earlier identification of patients with PNH.
  • High-sensitivity flow may also be used to help assess patient response to immunosuppressive treatment.

Screening for PNH is recommended in

  • Patients with hemoglobinuria
  • Patients with Coombs-negative intravascular hemolysis (based on abnormally high serum LDH), especially patients with concurrent iron deficiency
  • Patients with venous thrombosis involving unusual sites
  • Budd-Chiari syndrome
  • Other intra-abdominal sites (eg, mesenteric or portal veins)
  • Cerebral veins
  • Dermal veins
  • Patients with aplastic anemia (screen at diagnosis and once yearly even in the absence of   evidence of intravascular hemolysis)
  • Patients with MDS
  • Patients with episodic dysphagia or abdominal pain with evidence of intravascular hemolysis 


If you would like additional information about PNH Evaluation testing offered by US LABS, please ask your local sales rep or e-mail sales@uslabs.net.