ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory
| 0051003: Ehrlichia chaffeensis Antibody, IgM by IFA |
| Test Mnemonic: E CH M | |
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Methodology: Indirect Fluorescent Antibody
Performed: Tue, Fri Reported: 1-5 days |
| Specimen Required: | |
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Collect: One 4 mL SST.
Transport: 1 mL serum at 2-8°C. (Min: 0.5 mL) Submit specimen in an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. Pediatric Collection/Transport: 0.1 mL serum at 2-8°C. Remarks: Separate serum from cells ASAP. Acute and convalescent specimens must be labeled as such; parallel testing is preferred and convalescent specimens must be received within 30 days from receipt of the acute specimens. Please mark specimen plainly as "acute" or "convalescent." Unacceptable Conditions: Severely lipemic, contaminated, or hemolyzed specimens. Stability: After separation from cells: Ambient: 2 days; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 1 year (avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles) |
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| Reference Interval: |
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< 1:16 Negative-No significant level of Ehrlichia chaffeensis IgM antibody detected. ³ 1:16 Positive-Presence of IgM antibody to Ehrlichia chaffeensis detected, suggestive of current or recent infection. |
| Interpretive Data: | |
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While the presence of IgM antibodies suggests current or recent infection, low levels of IgM antibodies may occasionally persist for more than 12 months post-infection. A single IgM result should be interpreted with caution.
Please refer to Statement A in the Compliance Statements section in the front of the Laboratory Test Directory. |
| Note: | |
| Human ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by rickettsial-like agents. Two forms, human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME) and human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE), have been described. HME is often referred to as "spotless" or rashless Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and has been reported in various regions of the United States. The causative agent of HME has been identified as Ehrlichia chaffeensis. Infected individuals produce specific antibodies to Ehrlichia chaffeensis which can be detected by an immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test. |
| CPT Code(s): | |
| 86666 |