• Indirect testing, and therefore useful when the pathogens are hiding or not active.
• Active infection may be indicated when either IgM only, IgM and IgG, or IgG (≥ 160) antibodies are present.
Test
HME (Ehrlichia chaffeensis) IgM & IgG IFA
$160.00
The Ehrlichia chaffeensis (HME) IFA is designed to detect human IgG and IgM antibodies to HME antigens in human serum. For diagnostic purposes, HME IFA test results should be used in conjunction with other information available to the diagnosing physician.
The Ehrlichia IFA assay is a two-stage sandwich assay, based upon an antigen-antibody complex formation in the following steps:
- Binding of anti-Ehrlichia specific antibodies in human serum to fixed
- Binding of fluorescent-labeled anti-human IgG/IgM antibodies to the human anti-Ehrlichia antibodies bound to Ehrlichia on the slide.
- Identifying green fluorescing Ehrlichia organisms with a fluorescent microscope.
Principle
Titers rise during the first two-to-four weeks of illness and decline over the next six-to-12 months. In patients with previously high titers, the presence of only IgG titer of less than 160 may indicate a resolving infection. If the IFA result is negative, but the clinical symptoms of HME infection are present, PCR testing is suggested. E. chaffeensis is carried by the same ticks that have also been known to cause Babesiosis, Bartonellosis and Lyme disease. Patients with positive titers should also be tested for other tick-borne diseases.
Tube / Specimen Requirements
1 SST/ minimum volume 0.5mL serum
CPT Code(s)
86666 x2
Sample Report
View
IgM
< 20 Negative
20 May or may not indicate active infection.
≥ 40 Indicates active infection.
IgG
< 40 Negative
≥ 40 to < 160 May or may not suggest active infection. In patients with previously high titers, such titers may indicate resolving infection.
≥ 160 Indicates active infection.
- A negative HME IFA test result does not exclude the possibility of chaffeensis
- Cross-reactions can occur among the Rickettsiaceae, including: Rickettsia and Anaplasma.
- Anaplasma test results should be interpreted in conjunction with other laboratory and clinical findings.
Related Tests
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WHY IGENEX FOR TICK-BORNE DISEASE TESTING?
- CLIA certified in all 50 states
- Long track record of success since 1991
- Offers testing that is nearly twice as accurate as CDC recommended tests
- Tests for all major tick-borne illnesses, including Lyme disease, TBRF, Babesia, Bartonella, and Rickettsia
- Utilizes comprehensive testing methods such as PCR, ImmunoBlots, IgXSpot and FISH
- Has become a nationwide leader in COVID-19 testing due to a relentless focus on customer satisfaction
