Diagnostic Test Menu

Babesia IgG

Test: Babesia IgG

Overview

Testing for:
Babesia
Sample Type:
Plasma, Serum, Whole Blood
Test Code/s:
3013
Preferred Volume:
WB, 3.0 mL;
Plasma/Serum 1.0 mL
Minimum Required:
WB, 1.0 mL;
Plasma/Serum 0.5 mL
Storage:
WB, Room temperature <48 hours; Plasma/Serum, Refrigerator, 6 days; frozen 1 year
Shipping:
WB, Room temperature; Plasma/Serum: If frozen, dry ice; if not previously frozen, ice packs
Turnaround Time:
10 Business Days
Hospital/Institution Ordering (PDF)
 

  • Uses

    In North America, babesiosis is most commonly caused by the protozoan Babesia microti. Historically, diagnosis was made by the demonstration of characteristic intra-erythrocytic inclusions in thin-smear preparations of patient peripheral blood samples. However, the IFA test is more sensitive for detecting infected individuals with very low levels of parasitemia (such as asymptomatic blood donors in transfusion-associated cases) and for diagnosis after infection is cleared by therapy.

    Sample Instructions

    Note to Private Practice Physicians
    Please contact Coppe Laboratories to request a sample collection kit ahead of the scheduled blood draw. The kit contains instructions, EDTA tube, test request form, and prepaid overnight postage.

    1. Collect whole blood in EDTA tube labeled with patient name, date of birth, and date and time of draw. SAMPLES MUST BE DRAWN MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY and sent overnight. If submitting plasma, process to plasma, and place in sterile vial or cryotube labeled with patient name, date of birth, and date and time of draw. Serum should be placed in sterile vial or cryotube labeled as above.

    2. Place tube into a biohazard bag with an absorbent pad and seal.

    3. Complete the test request form by clicking on the green Hospital/Institution Ordering button located in the blue box. Scan and send to records@coppelabs.com to give Coppe Laboratories notification that the sample is being sent.

    4. Place the form and the sample in another sealable bag or pouch, seal, and ship according to the listed shipping specifications.

    5. Send the sample using an overnight delivery service. Coppe Laboratories accepts shipments MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. Holiday closures will be posted on the home page of the Coppe website, www.coppelabs.com.

  • Specimen

    Volume / Collection Type

    Minimum

    Storage

    Shipping

    N/A
    WB, 3.0 mL;
    Plasma/Serum 1.0 mL
    WB, 1.0 mL;
    Plasma/Serum 0.5 mL
    WB, Room temperature <48 hours; Plasma/Serum, Refrigerator, 6 days; frozen 1 year
    WB, Room temperature; Plasma/Serum: If frozen, dry ice; if not previously frozen, ice packs
    Specimen:   
    N/A
    Volume / Collection Type:   
    WB, 3.0 mL;
    Plasma/Serum 1.0 mL
    Minimum:   
    WB, 1.0 mL;
    Plasma/Serum 0.5 mL
    Storage:   
    WB, Room temperature <48 hours; Plasma/Serum, Refrigerator, 6 days; frozen 1 year
    Shipping:   
    WB, Room temperature; Plasma/Serum: If frozen, dry ice; if not previously frozen, ice packs

  • Turn Around Time

    10 Business Days

  • Methodology

    The Babesia microti IgG IFA tests for the presence of human IgG class antibodies against Babesia in patient serum and plasma samples. Babesia microti infected hamster erythrocytes are fixed on 12 well slides and incubated with diluted patient samples. If the sample is positive, the attached antibodies are stained with fluorescein-labeled anti-human antibodies and can be visualized using a fluorescent microscope.