Laboratory Test Guide

Rickettsia typhi Antibodies, IgG and IgM (Sendout)

General Information

Lab Name

Lab Code

372

External Test Id

0050384

Description

Ordering Recommendation: Confirm presence of Rickettsia typhi. Requires comparison of acute- to convalescent-phase serology. Flea-borne (murine) typhus, is a disease caused by a bacteria called Rickettsia typhi.

References

ARUP Consult® Rickettsia typhi - Typhus Fever

Synonyms

0050384, Murine Typhus Antibodies, R. typhi antibodies, Typhus Fever

Interpretation

Method

Semi-Quantitative Indirect Fluorescent Antibody

Ref. Range Notes

Reference Ranges:

Typhus Fever Antibody, IgG	<1:64
Typhus Fever Antibody, IgM	<1:64

Interpretation:

Rickettsia typhi (Typhus Fever) Antibody, IgG by IFA:

Less than 1:64:	Negative - No significant level of IgG antibody detected.
1:64-1:128:	Equivocal - Questionable presence of IgG antibody detected. Repeat testing in 10-14 days may be helpful.
1:256 or greater:	Positive - Presence of IgG antibody detected, suggestive of current or past infection

Rickettsia typhi (Typhus Fever) Antibody, IgM by IFA:

Less than 1:64:	Negative - No significant level of IgM antibody detected.
1:64 or greater:	Positive - Presence of IgM antibody to detected, which may indicate a current or recent infection; however, low levels of IgM antibodies may occasionally persist for more than 12 months post-infection.

Guidelines

Washington DOH Notifiable Conditions

Ordering & Collection

Specimen Type

Blood

Collection

3 mL blood in RED TOP tube or GOLD SST

Handling Instructions

Outside Laboratories: Centrifuge sample and transfer serum to a separate plastic vial within 2 hours of collection. Refrigerate serum.

Parallel testing is preferred and convalescent specimens must be received within 30 days from receipt of the acute specimens. Samples must be clearly marked as "acute" or "convalescent."

Stability: Refrigerated (preferred): 2 weeks; Frozen: 1 year (avoid repeat freeze/thaw cycles); Ambient: 48 hours.

Unacceptable Conditions: Contaminated, hemolyzed, or severely lipemic specimens.

Quantity

requested: 1 mL serum
minimum: 0.5 mL serum

Processing

Centrifuge sample and transfer serum to a separate plastic vial within 2 hours of collection. Refrigerate serum.

Sendouts:

Order ARUP Test: 0050384
Interfaced: Yes [Interface: 602; Department: ARPR]
Parallel testing is preferred and convalescent specimens must be received within 30 days from receipt of the acute specimens. Samples must be clearly marked as "acute" or "convalescent."