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Pneumococcal Antibodies (Southeast Michigan Only)

Streptococcus Pneumoniae Antibodies, 23 Serotypes

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB1231459, Beaker: XPNAB, MAYO: PN23M

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: 0.5 mL serum, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.4 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: 0.5 mL serum, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.4 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): 21 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 21 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

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

Laboratory

Sent to Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester, MN.

Performed

Monday – Friday.
Results available in 4-6 days.

Reference Range

By report.

Test Methodology

Microsphere Photometry.

Interpretation

By report.

Clinical Utility

• Pneumococci have approximately 83 antigenically specific capsular polysaccharides that confer type-specific immunity. S. pneumoniae is the most common cause of otitis media and pneumonia is children less than 2 years old. Geriatric patients and those at high risk (cardiopulmonary and liver disease, recent splenectomy) are also susceptible to pneumococcal infections.
  
• The diagnosis and management of patients with chronic recurrent infections often requires an assessment of the patient's immune status. This includes evaluations for various immunoglobulins (IgG; IgG subclasses 1,2,3,and 4; IgA; IgM; and IgE) and tests of the patient's antibody-forming capacity when challenged with appropriate vaccines (diphtheria, tetanus, influenzae, polyvalent pneumococcal vaccine). Antibody concentrations can be used to determine the immune status of individuals previously immunized with the pneumococcal vaccine. A poor immune response to the pneumococcal-specific antigens may be indicative of a humoral immune defect.

CPT Codes

86317 x 22.

Contacts

Last Updated

11/12/2024