Ordering Recommendation
Confirm presence of Rickettsia typhi. Panel test (IgG and IgM) is preferred. Requires comparison of acute- to convalescent-phase serology.
Mnemonic
Methodology
Semi-Quantitative Indirect Fluorescent Antibody
Performed
Sun-Sat
Reported
1-3 days
New York DOH Approval Status
Specimen Required
Serum Separator Tube (SST).
Separate from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 1 mL serum to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. (Min: 0.3 mL) Parallel testing is preferred and convalescent specimens must be received within 30 days from receipt of the acute specimens.
Refrigerated.
Contaminated, hemolyzed, or severely lipemic specimens.
Mark specimens plainly as "acute" or "convalescent."
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 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. |
Interpretive Data
Antibody reactivity to Rickettsia typhi antigen should be considered group-reactive for the Typhus Fever group, which includes Rickettsia prowazekii.
Seroconversion between acute and convalescent sera is considered strong evidence of recent infection. The best evidence for infection is a significant change (fourfold difference in titer) on two appropriately timed specimens, where both tests are done in the same laboratory at the same time. 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.
FDA
Note
Hotline History
CPT Codes
86757
Components
Component Test Code* | Component Chart Name | LOINC |
---|---|---|
0050381 | Typhus Fever Antibody, IgG | 5324-9 |
Aliases
- Murine Typhus Antibodies, IgG
- R typhi IgG antibody
- Typhus Fever Group IgG Antibody