Tickborne Disease Antibody Profile, Serum

Also known as: Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme, Lyme disease

Clinical Use

Use

This test is used for evaluation of patients with a history of, or suspected, tick exposure who are presenting with fever, myalgia, headache, nausea and other nonspecific symptoms. Evaluation of infection with the most common tickborne diseases found in the United States, including Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi), ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia chaffeensis), anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum) and babesiosis (Babesia microti).

Special Instructions

Not provided.

Limitations

Screening of the general population should not be performed. The positive predictive value depends on the likelihood of tickborne disease presence. Testing is indicated only for patients with clinical symptoms of tickborne disease or when exposure is suspected. In general, IgM tests should be disregarded if symptoms persist for more than 30 days; only IgG results should be interpreted. Potential assay interference can occur due to circulating antibodies from other infections like Human Ehrlichiosis (HE), Tick-borne Relapsing Fever (TBRF), Babesiosis, Parvovirus, and EBV. Results should be interpreted with caution in these patients.

Test Details

Methodology

Immunoassay (CLIA)

Biomarkers

Anaplasma phagocytophilum IgGBabesia microti IgGEhrlichia chaffeensis IgGLyme Total Antibody

LOINC Codes

Order Codes

103603-7 - STICK Ser

Result Codes

83081-0 - B burgdor IgG+IgM Ser Ql IA
16117-4 - B microti IgG Titr Ser
47405-6 - E chaffeensis IgG Titr Ser IF
23877-4 - A phagocytoph IgG Titr Ser IF
8251-1 - Service Cmnt-Imp

Result Turnaround Time

1-4 days

Specimen

Serum

Volume

3 mL

Minimum Volume

1.5 mL

Container

Red-top tube, gel-barrier tube or serum transfer tube

Collection Instructions

If tube other than a gel-barrier tube is used, transfer separated serum to a plastic transport tube. Do not submit frozen gel-barrier tubes; spin down and transfer separated serum to a plastic transport tube prior to freezing.