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 mLSerumSST (Gold) RefrigeratedParallel 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 mLPlasmaSodium or Lithium heparin (Green) RefrigeratedParallel 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
RefrigeratedAfter separation from cells: 2 weeks
FrozenAfter separation from cells: 1 year (avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles)
AmbientAfter separation from cells: 48 hours

Days Performed

Mon, Thu

Turnaround Time

2 - 6 days

Methodology

Name Description
Immunoblot (IB), Qualitative 

Reference Range

Leptospira IgM Anitbody
Sex Age From Age To Type Range Range Unit
       Negative: No significant level of Leptospira IgM antibody detected 
       Equivocal: Questionable presence of Leptospira IgM antibody detected; Repeat testing in 10-14 days may be helpful 
       Positive: Presence of IgM antibody to Leptospira detected, suggestive of a current or recent infection 

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.