0050372
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Rickettsia rickettsii (Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever) Antibody, IgM

RMSF M
Example Reports
Negative
Positive

Ordering Recommendation

Detects antibodies during acute phase; paired concurrent specimen with IgG reduces false positive rate. Convalescent sera may be required for diagnosis.

Methodology

Semi-Quantitative Indirect Fluorescent Antibody (IFA)

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

1-3 days

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York DOH approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Serum Separator Tube (SST).

Specimen Preparation

Separate from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 1 mL serum to an ARUP standard transport tube. (Min: 0.4 mL) Parallel testing is preferred and convalescent specimens must be received within 30 days from receipt of the acute specimens.

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions

Contaminated, hemolyzed, or severely lipemic specimens.

Remarks

Mark specimens plainly as "acute" or "convalescent."

Stability

After separation from cells: Ambient: 48 hours; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 1 year (avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles)

Reference Interval

Less than 1:64 Negative - No significant level of IgM antibody detected.
1:64 or greater Positive - Presence of IgM antibody 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.

Interpretive Data

The CDC does not use IgM results for routine diagnostic testing of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, as the response may not be specific for the agent (resulting in false positives) and the IgM response may be persistent from past infection.

Antibody reactivity to Rickettsia rickettsii antigen should be considered Spotted Fever group reactive. Other organisms within the group include R. akari, R. conorrii, R. australis, and R. sibirica.

Seroconversion, a fourfold or greater rise in antibody titer, between acute and convalescent sera is considered strong evidence of recent infection. Acute-phase specimens are collected during the first week of illness and convalescent-phase samples are generally obtained 2-4 weeks after resolution of illness. Ideally these samples should be tested simultaneously at the same facility. If the sample submitted was collected during the acute-phase of illness, submit a marked convalescent sample within 25 days for paired testing.

Compliance Category

FDA

Note

Hotline History

View Hotline History

 

Hotline History

Date of Change
Test Name Change
Methodology
Performance/Reported Schedule
Specimen Requirements
Reference Interval
Interpretive Data
Note
CPT Code
Component Change
Other Interface Change
New Test
Inactive
05/15/2023
X
N/A

CPT Codes

86757

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Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0050372 Rocky Mt Spotted Fever IgM 5308-2
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

Aliases

  • Rickettsia
  • RMSF
  • Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Rickettsia rickettsii (Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever) Antibody, IgM