ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Diphtheria & Tetanus Antibodies, IgG : 0050595

Mnemonic: D/T

Methodology: Quantitative Multiplex Bead Assay
Performed: Sun-Sat
Reported: 1-2 days
Specimen Required: Collect: Serum separator tube. "Pre" and "post" vaccination specimens should be submitted for testing. "Post" specimen should be drawn 30 days after immunization.

Specimen Preparation: Separate serum from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 1 mL serum to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. (Min: 0.15 mL) Mark specimens clearly as "Pre-Vaccine" or "Post-Vaccine". If shipped separately, "Post" specimen must be received within 60 days of "Pre" specimen.

Storage/Transport Temperature: Refrigerated

Unacceptable Conditions: Plasma or other body fluids.

Stability (collection to initiation of testing): After separation from cells: Ambient: 48 hours; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 1 year (avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles)
Reference Interval:
Antibody concentrations of > 0.1 IU/mL are usually considered protective for diphtheria or tetanus.
Interpretive Data: Responder status is determined according to the ratio of a one-month post-vaccination sample to pre-vaccination concentration of IgG antibodies as follows:

Diphtheria and tetanus:
1. If the post-vaccination concentration is less than 1.0 IU/mL, the patient is considered a nonresponder.
2. If the post-vaccination concentration is greater than or equal to 1.0 IU/mL, a patient with a ratio of less than 1.5 is a nonresponder, a ratio of 1.5 to less than 3.0, is a weak responder, and a ratio of 3.0 or greater, is a good responder.
3. If the pre-vaccination concentration is greater than 1.0 IU/mL, it may be difficult to assess the response based on a ratio alone. A post-vaccination concentration above 2.5 IU in this case is adequate.

See Compliance Statement B: www.aruplab.com/CS
CPT Code(s): 86317 x2
Cross References: Immune Response (Diphtheria & Tetanus Antibodies, IgG), Tetanus/Diphtheria Antibodies (Diphtheria & Tetanus Antibodies, IgG), Tetanus/Diptheria Vaccine Response (Diphtheria & Tetanus Antibodies, IgG), Vaccine Response (Diphtheria & Tetanus Antibodies, IgG)