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Babesia microti Antibodies, IgG and IgM

CPT 86753(x2)
Synonyms
  • Babesia Antibody
  • Babesia IgM, IgG
  • Tickborne

Test Details

Methodology

Immunofluorescence assay (IFA)

Result 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.

Related Documents

Test Includes

Babesia IgG; Babesia, IgM

Use

This test is a screening assay for Babesia microti infection or exposure.

Serological testing for antibodies to Babesia microti (B. microti) can provide evidence to support a diagnosis of babesiosis. Serology should not be used for routine diagnosis of acute babesiosis, as it is difficult to distinguish active from past infection using serology alone. A B. microti IgG antibody titer of greater than or equal to 1:1024 or the presence of B. microti IgM antibody are suggestive of active or recent B. microti infection, while a 4-fold rise in Babesia IgG antibody in sera from the time of acute illness to the time of convalescence confirms the diagnosis. Individuals positive for B. microti antibodies should have confirmatory testing performed by PCR or peripheral blood smear before treatment is considered. The diagnosis of acute babesiosis cannot be confirmed solely by the presence of Babesia antibody in a serum sample collected at a single time point. Babesiosis coinfection should be considered in Lyme disease patients with severe illness, in those whose symptoms are unlikely to be explained by B. burgdorferi infection alone, or in those who do not respond well to standard antibiotic therapy for Lyme disease.

Limitations

The diagnosis of acute babesiosis cannot be confirmed solely by the presence of Babesia antibody in a serum sample collected at a single time point. Antibody detection by serologic testing can provide supportive evidence for the diagnosis of babesiosis but does not reliably distinguish between active and prior infection.

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Labcorp. It has not been cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Tickborne Diseases of the United States: A reference manual for healthcare providers. Sixth edition. 2022. CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/tickbornediseases/index.html. Accessed May 2023.
Krause PJ, Auwaerter PG, Bannuru RR, et al. Clinical Practice Guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA): 2020 Guideline on Diagnosis and Management of Babesiosis. Clin Infect Dis. 2021 Jan 27;72(2) 72(2):185-189.33501959

Specimen Requirements

Specimen

Serum

Volume

1 mL

Minimum Volume

0.2 mL

Container

Red-top tube or gel-barrier tube or serum transfer tube

Collection Instructions

If tube other than a gel-barrier tube is used, transfer separated serum to a labeled plastic transport tube. Do not freeze gel-barrier tube; pour off serum first.

Stability Requirements

Temperature

Period

Room temperature

14 days

Refrigerated

14 days

Frozen

14 days

Freeze/thaw cycles

Stable x4

Storage Instructions

Room temperature

Causes for Rejection

Extensive hemolysis; lipemia; clotted specimen; quantity not sufficient for analysis; leaking or broken tube; frozen gel-barrier tube

LOINC® Map

Order Code Order Code Name Order Loinc Result Code Result Code Name UofM Result LOINC
138315 Babesia microti Antibody Panel 88728-1 138316 Babesia microti IgG 16117-4
138315 Babesia microti Antibody Panel 88728-1 138317 Babesia microti IgM 16118-2
138315 Babesia microti Antibody Panel 88728-1 164117 Result Comment: N/A
Order Code138315
Order Code NameBabesia microti Antibody Panel
Order Loinc88728-1
Result Code138316
Result Code NameBabesia microti IgG
UofM
Result LOINC16117-4
Order Code138315
Order Code NameBabesia microti Antibody Panel
Order Loinc88728-1
Result Code138317
Result Code NameBabesia microti IgM
UofM
Result LOINC16118-2
Order Code138315
Order Code NameBabesia microti Antibody Panel
Order Loinc88728-1
Result Code164117
Result Code NameResult Comment:
UofM
Result LOINCN/A