• Indirect testing, and therefore useful when the pathogens are hiding, but eliciting an immune response.
• Active infection may be indicated when either IgM only, IgM and IgG, or IgG (≥ 160) antibodies are present.
Test
R. rickettsii & R. typhi IgG IFA
$160.00
The Rickettsia Immunofluorescent Assay (IFA) is designed to detect Rickettsia-specific antibodies in human serum. For diagnostic purposes, IFA test results should be used in conjunction with other data available to the diagnosing physician.
The Rickettsia IFA is used to detect antibodies to Rickettsia species in human serum. These species include R. ricketsii and R. typhi, known to cause Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Murine Typhus, respectively. 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, titers of less than 160 may indicate a resolving infection. If the IFA result is negative but the clinical symptoms are present, PCR testing is suggested.
Principle
The Rickettsia IFA assay is a two-stage sandwich assay, based upon an antigen-antibody complex formation in the following steps:
- Binding of anti-Rickettsia-specific antibodies in human serum to fixed Rickettsia.
- Binding of fluorescent-labeled anti-human IgG/IgM antibodies to the human anti Rickettsia antibodies bound to Rickettsia on the slide.
- Identifying green fluorescing Rickettsia organisms with a fluorescent microscope.
- Microscopic image of bacteria from Rickettsia diagnosis.
Tube / Specimen Requirements
1 SST/ minimum volume 0.5mL serum
CPT Code(s)
86757 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.
- Cross-reactions can occur among the Rickettsiaceae, including Rickettsia, Ehrlichia and Anaplasma.
- A single negative IFA test does not rule out infection.
- Paired testing of acute and convalescent sera collected six to eight weeks apart is recommended for accurate diagnosis.
Related Tests
GET STARTED TODAY!
The first step in getting tested with IGeneX is to order a collection kit. Choose between a Blood, Urine, or Miscellaneous kit.
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
