Click here for more information about laboratory operations and procedures
Babesia microti Antibodies (IgG & IgM)
| Item | Value | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approval req'd? | No | ||||
| Available Stat? | No | ||||
| Test code | BABES | ||||
| Performed by | Focus via Quest | ||||
| Sendout? | Yes | ||||
| Method | Immunofluorescence assay | ||||
| Container type | Red top (Gold top unacceptable) | ||||
| Amount to Collect | 2 mL blood | ||||
| Sample type | Serum | ||||
| Preferred volume | 1 mL serum | ||||
| Min. Volume | 0.1 mL serum | ||||
| UCSF Rejection Criteria | Sample collected in Gold top | ||||
| Processing notes | Refrigerate sample. Order Quest # 34300 | ||||
| Units | titer | ||||
| Normal range |
|
||||
| Synonyms | Babesiosis | ||||
| Stability | Room temperature 72 hours, refrigerated 1 week, frozen at -20C 1 month. | ||||
| Turn around times | Set up 5x per week. Turnaround time 4-6 days | ||||
| Additional information | Elevated antibody levels to B.microti indicate exposure to the organism. Human babesiosis infection is transmitted by the bite of an infected Ixodes tick or less frequently from transfusion with blood from an infected donor. Definitive diagnosis is made by identifying intraerythrocytic organisms in peripheral blood. In patients with low parasitemia, antibody detection by IFA is recommended. IgG levels greater than or equal to 1:1024 can be detected in acute phase patients with parasites in blood smears. The IFA assay can be used as a seroepidemiologic tool to study the frequency and distribution of B.microti in endemic areas especially in persons with mixed infections also involving Borrelia burgdorferi. Human Babesia antibodies may persist for 6-12 months after acute illness, and may cross-react with malaria antibodies. |
||||
| CPT coding | 86753-90 x2 | ||||
| LOINC code | 16427-7 | ||||
| Last Updated | 8/21/2012 10:45:15 AM | ||||
| Entry Number | 84 |
If you have additional questions regarding this test, please call: 415-353-1667