St. Louis Encephalitis Antibody Panel, IgG and IgM, Spinal Fluid

Casandra

Casandra Test Code MC18259Version 1 (DRAFT)

Performing Lab

Lab Mayo Clinic LabLab Test ID STLPCCPT Code 86653

St. Louis Encephalitis Antibody Panel, IgG and IgM, Spinal Fluid

Clinical Use

Use

The St. Louis Encephalitis Antibody Panel, which detects IgG and IgM antibodies in spinal fluid, aids in the diagnosis of St. Louis encephalitis. This disease, transmitted by mosquitoes, predominantly affects individuals over 60 years causing severe clinical infections, characterized by neurologic symptoms including encephalitis, irritability, depression, and memory issues. Detection of organism-specific antibodies in CSF can suggest a CNS infection, contributing to clinical assessments alongside other laboratory and clinical data to diagnose CNS conditions.

Special Instructions

This test is not orderable directly and is part of a profile. For detailed testing algorithms, refer to the Mosquito-borne Disease Laboratory Testing guidelines. It is crucial to correlate results with the patient's clinical history and travel data, as cross-reactivity with dengue fever virus can occur. Results should be interpreted cautiously to avoid misdiagnosis due to blood-brain barrier breakdowns or external contaminating factors.

Limitations

The test faces limitations in distinguishing between antibodies originating within the CNS and those introduced during a lumbar puncture or due to blood-brain barrier compromise. Cross-reactivity with dengue fever virus occurs, which can mislead to a false-positive diagnosis. The specific virus responsible might only be confirmed through patient travel history or isolation of the virus. Additionally, results may not differentiate between active infection and post-infectious states, necessitating a comprehensive clinical context for accurate interpretation.

Test Details