Ordering Recommendation

Confirm infectious agent as C. burnetii (Q-fever) in symptomatic patients. Recommend testing of acute and convalescent sera.

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Serum separator tube (SST).

Specimen Preparation

Separate serum 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" and "convalescent."

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions

Contaminated, hemolyzed, or severely lipemic specimens.

Remarks
Stability

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

Methodology

Semi-Quantitative Indirect Fluorescent Antibody (IFA)

Performed

Mon, Wed, Fri

Reported

1-6 days

Reference Interval

Test Number Component Reference Interval
C. burnetii (Q-Fever) Ab, Phase I IgG Negative
C. burnetii (Q-Fever) Ab, Phase II IgG Negative

Interpretive Data

Single phase II IgG titers of 1:256 and greater are considered evidence of C. burnetii infection at some time prior to the date of the serum specimen. Phase I antibody titers of 1:16 and greater are consistent with chronic infection or convalescent phase of Q-fever.

Compliance Category

FDA

Note

If either C. Burnetii Abs IgG Phase I and/or Phase II result is indeterminate or positive, then titer(s) will be added. Additional charges apply.

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

86638 x2; if reflexed add 86638 per titer

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
2012626 C. Burnetii Abs, IgG Phase I Screen 48720-7
2012628 C. Burnetii Abs, IgG Phase II Screen 48719-9
* 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

  • Coxiella burnetii
  • Coxiella Titer
  • Q Fever Phases I and II antibody
Coxiella burnetii (Q-Fever) Antibody IgG, Phase I and II with Reflex to Titer