Leptospira Antibody, IgM by Dot Blot
Test Mnemonic
LEPTDB
CPT Codes
- 86720 - QTY (1)
Performing Laboratory
ARUP
Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | Serum | SST (Gold) | Refrigerated | Parallel testing is preferred and convalescent specimens must be received within 30 days from receipt of the acute specimens. Please label specimen plainly as 'acute' or 'convalescent.' Separate serum from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection and transfer into a standard aliquot tube. |
Alternate Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | Plasma | Sodium or Lithium heparin (Green) | Refrigerated | Parallel testing is preferred and convalescent specimens must be received within 30 days from receipt of the acute specimens. Please label specimen plainly as 'acute' or 'convalescent.' Separate plasma from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection and transfer into a standard aliquot tube. |
Minimum Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 mL |
Stability
| Environmental Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Refrigerated | After separation from cells: 2 weeks |
| Frozen | After separation from cells: 1 year (avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles) |
| Ambient | After separation from cells: 48 hours |
Days Performed
Mon, Thu
Turnaround Time
2 - 6 days
Methodology
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Immunoblot (IB), Qualitative |
Special Info
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. Contaminated, heat-inactivated, hemolyzed, severely lipemic specimens will be rejected. Any other body fluids are unacceptable. This test is New York DOH approved.
Clinical Info
A negative result does not rule out the possibility of leptospirosis. Samples interpreted as negative indicate that antibody is not present in the sample, or is below the detection level of the method. Since antibodies may not be present during early disease, confirmation two to three weeks later is recommended. An initially-negative result followed by a positive result indicates IgM seroconversion. Equivocal specimens should be cautiously interpreted. Further testing with an additional specimen is recommended. If the specimen remains equivocal, a second serological method should be considered if leptospirosis infection is still suspected. Samples interpreted as positive may indicate the specific antibody. Antibody presence alone cannot be used for diagnosis of acute infection, however, because antibodies from prior exposure may circulate for a prolonged period of time.