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- Blastomyces Total antibodies
Expected Turnaround Time
2 - 4 days
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Serum
Volume
1.0 mL
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Container
Gel-barrier tube, serum from a gel-barrier tube, serum from a red-top tube, serum transfer tube
Stability Requirements
Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
Room temperature | 14 days |
Refrigerated | 14 days |
Frozen | 14 days |
Freeze/thaw cycles | Stable x3 |
Causes for Rejection
Gross hemolysis; grossly lipemic
Test Details
Use
Aid in the diagnosis of Blastomyces dermatitidis infection. Diagnosis of Blastomycosis relies on a combination of assays, including culture and molecular testing on appropriate specimens and serologic evaluation for both antibodies to and antigen released from Blastomyces. Although culture remains the gold standard method and is highly specific, the organism can take several days to weeks to grow, and sensitivity is diminished in cases of acute or localized disease. Similarily, molecular testing offers high specificity and a rapid turnaround time, however, sensitivity is imperfect. Detection of an antibody response to Blastomyces offers high specificity, however, results may be falsely negative in acutely infected patients and in immunosuppressed patients.
A positive result indicates that IgG and/or IgM antibodies to Blastomyces were detected. The presence of antibodies is presumptive evidence that the patient was or is currently infected with (or was exposed to) Blastomyces. A negative result indicates that antibodies to Blastomyces were not detected. The absence of antibodies is presumptive evidence that the patient was not infected with Blastomyces. However, the specimen may have been obtained before antibodies were detectable or the patient may be immunosuppressed. If infection is suspected, another specimen should be collected 7 to 14 days later and submitted for testing. Specimens testing positive or equivocal may be submitted for further testing by another conventional serologic test such as Blastomyces Antibodies, Quantitative, DID [164293].
Limitations
A negative result does not prelude a diagnosis of blastomycosis, particularily if only a single specimen has been tested and the patient shows symptoms consistent with positive diagnosis.
Cross-reactivity may occur with other fungal infections such as Aspergillus, Coccidioides, or Histoplasma.
Methodology
EIA
Reference Interval
Negative
References
Chapman SW. Blastomyces dermatitidis, p.2733-2746. In G.L. Mandell, J.E. Bennett, and R. Dolin (ed.), Principles and practice of infectious diseases, 5th ed. Churchill Livingstone, Philadelphia, PA; 2000.
Reiss E, Kauffman L, Kovacs J, Lindsley M. Clinical Immunomycology, p.559-583. In N. Rose, R. Hamilton, and B. Detrick (ed.), Manual of Clinical Laboratory Immunology. ASM Press, Washington D.C.; 2002.
Saccente M, Woods GL. Clinical and Laboratory update on blastomycosis. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2010 Apr;23(2):367-381.20375357
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 165048 | Blastomyces Ab EIA | 7816-2 | 165049 | Blastomyces Ab EIA | 7816-2 |
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