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Bartonella Antibodies, IgG and IgM

Bartonella henselae Antibodies, Cat Scratch Fever Antibodies, IgG and IgM, Trench Fever

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB7585, Beaker: XBARTAB, Mayo: BART

Department

Send Outs

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect (preferred specimen): One Gold-top SST tube.
Also acceptable: One plain Red-top tube.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then centrifuge to separate serum from cells within two hours of collection. Transfer serum to a plastic transport tube and refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 1.0 mL serum, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.15 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Hemolyzed specimens.
• Severely lipemic specimens.
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then centrifuge to separate serum from cells within two hours of collection. Transfer serum to a plastic transport tube and refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Transport: 1.0 mL serum, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.15 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): Unacceptable
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 30 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 30 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Out Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Sent to Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester, MN.

Performed

Monday – Saturday.
Results available in 2-4 days.

Reference Range

By report.

Test Methodology

Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA).

Interpretation

A positive immunofluorescence assay (IFA) IgM (titer >1:20) suggests a current infection with either Bartonella henselae or B quintana.

A positive IgG (titer >1:128) suggests a current or previous infection. Increases in IgG titers in serial specimens suggest active infection.

Normal serum specimens usually have an IgG titer of less than 1:128. However, 5% to 10% of healthy controls exhibit a B henselae and B quintana titer of 1:128. Sera from healthy volunteers rarely show titers of 1:256 or greater. IgM titers in normal serum are typically less than 1:20. IgM titers at 1:20 or greater have not been seen in the normal population.

Molecular testing of tissue for Bartonella species nucleic acid is recommended in cases of suspected endocarditis.

Clinical Utility

This assay aids in the diagnosis of cat scratch fever.

CPT Codes

86611 x4.

Contacts

Last Updated

10/26/2023