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Recommendations when to order or not order the test. May include related or preferred tests.
Most useful to detect antibodies during acute phase of disease; recommend concurrent testing with IgG E. chaffeensis. PCR testing is preferred; refer to Tick-Borne Disease Panel by PCR, Blood (2008670) or Ehrlichia and Anaplasma Species by PCR (2007862).
New York DOH Approval Status
Indicates whether a test has been approved by the New York State Department of Health.
This test is New York state approved.
Specimen Required
Patient PreparationInstructions patient must follow before/during specimen collection.
CollectSpecimen type to collect. May include collection media, tubes, kits, etc.
Serum Separator Tube.
Specimen PreparationInstructions for specimen prep before/after collection and prior to transport.
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. Mark specimens plainly as acute or convalescent.
Storage/Transport TemperaturePreferred temperatures for storage prior to and during shipping to ARUP. See Stability for additional info.
Refrigerated.
Unacceptable ConditionsCommon conditions under which a specimen will be rejected.
Contaminated, hemolyzed, or severely lipemic specimens.
RemarksAdditional specimen collection, transport, or test submission information.
StabilityAcceptable times/temperatures for specimens. Times include storage and transport time to ARUP.
After separation from cells: Ambient: 48 hours; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 1 year (avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles)
Expected turnaround time for a result, beginning when ARUP has received the specimen.
1-5 days
Reference Interval
Normal range/expected value(s) for a specific disease state. May also include abnormal ranges.
< 1:16 Negative-No significant level of Ehrlichia chaffeensis IgM antibody detected. ≥ 1:16 Positive-Presence of IgM antibody to Ehrlichia chaffeensis detected, suggestive of current or recent infection.
Interpretive Data
May include disease information, patient result explanation, recommendations, or details of testing.
While the presence of IgM antibodies suggests current or recent infection, low levels of IgM antibodies may occasionally persist for more than 12 months post-infection. A single IgM result should be interpreted with caution.
Compliance Category
Laboratory Developed Test (LDT)
Note
Additional information related to the test.
Human ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by rickettsial-like agents. Two forms, human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME) and human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE), have been described. HME is often referred to as "spotless" or rashless Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and has been reported in various regions of the United States. The causative agent of HME has been identified as Ehrlichia chaffeensis. Infected individuals produce specific antibodies to Ehrlichia chaffeensis which can be detected by an immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test.
Hotline History
N/A
CPT Codes
The American Medical Association Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes published in ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory are provided for informational purposes only. The codes reflect our interpretation of CPT coding requirements based upon AMA guidelines published annually. CPT codes are provided only as guidance to assist clients with billing. ARUP strongly recommends that clients confirm CPT codes with their Medicare administrative contractor, as requirements may differ. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. ARUP Laboratories assumes no responsibility for billing errors due to reliance on the CPT codes published.
* 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.
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