Ehrlichia chaffeensis IgG & IgM Abs by IFA
Test Mnemonic
ECHAFF
CPT Codes
- 86666 - QTY (2)
Includes
- E chaffeensis Ab IgG
- E chaffeensis Ab IgM
Performing Laboratory
ARUP
Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | Serum | SST (Gold) | Refrigerated | Separate serum from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection and transfer into standard aliquot tube. Parallel testing is preferred and convalescent specimens must be received within 30 days from receipt of the acute specimens. Label specimens plainly as 'acute' or 'convalescent.' |
Minimum Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 mL |
Stability
| Environmental Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Ambient | After separation from cells: 2 days |
| Refrigerated | After separation from cells: 2 weeks |
| Frozen | After separation from cells: 1 year (Avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycle) |
Days Performed
Tue, Fri
Turnaround Time
2 - 6 days
Methodology
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) |
Reference Range
| E chaffeensis Ab IgG | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sex | Age From | Age To | Type | Range | Range Unit |
| < 1:64 Negative - No significant level of E. chaffeensis IgG antibody detected | 1:64-1:128 Equivocal-Questionable presence of E. chaffeensis IgG antibody detected. Repeat testing in 10-14 days may be helpful | > or =1:256 Positive-Presence of IgG antibody to E. chaffeensis detected, suggestive of current or past infection | |||
| E chaffeensis Ab IgM | |||||
| Sex | Age From | Age To | Type | Range | Range Unit |
| < 1:16 Negative - No significant level of E. chaffeensis IgM antibody detected | > or = 1:16 Positive-Presence of IgM antibody to E. chaffeensis detected, suggestive of current or recent infection |
Special Info
Separate serum from cells ASAP. Acute and convalescent samples must be labeled as such; parallel testing is preferred and convalescent samples must be received with 30 days from receipt of the acute samples. Severely lipemic, contaminated, or hemolyzed samples are unacceptable.
Clinical Info
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 antibodes to Ehrlichia chaffeensis which can be detected by an immunofluroescent antibody (IFA) test.