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 mLSerumSST (Gold) RefrigeratedSeparate 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
AmbientAfter separation from cells: 2 days
RefrigeratedAfter separation from cells: 2 weeks
FrozenAfter 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.