Language Selection

Français

Indirect Immunofluorescent Assay (IFA) – IgG

<<Return to Search Results

Accredited by the Standards Council of Canada to Laboratory no. 594 (ISO/IEC 17025)

Requisition Forms

Reference Details

Description:

Detection of IgG antibodies to Anaplasma phagocytophilum by IFA.

Test Category:
Serology
Pathogen:
Anaplasma phagocytophilum
Laboratory:
Illnesses and Diseases:
  • Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA)
Specimen:

Fresh human serum. 

Minimum volume required is 0.25 mL.

Hyperlipemic, hemolysed or contaminated sera may yield erroneous results.

Collection Method:

Collect blood in serum separator tubes.

Specimen Processing, Storage and Shipping:

Transfer an aliquot of serum to a 1.5 ml screw-top vial with O-ring (Sarstedt vial). Store specimens refrigerated up to 5 days or store frozen until shipped for testing.  Ship frozen on dry ice or with freezer packs.  

Transportation of Dangerous Goods:

Shipping of specimens shall be done by a TDG certified individual in accordance with TDG regulations. For additional information regarding classification of specimens for the purposes of shipping, consult either Part 2 Appendix 3 of the TDG Regulations or section 3.6.2 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations as applicable.

 

Patient Criteria:

Appropriate clinical symptoms with potential exposure to Ixodes spp. ticks within the previous 5-21 days prior to symptom onset . Clinical evidence of Anaplasmosis is characterized by an acute onset of fever with one or more of the following non-specific symptoms: chills, malaise, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia or elevated hepatic transaminases.

Accompanying Documentation:

Completed Requisition for Serological Testing for Selected Zoonotic Agents. If possible, include the clinical history and lab results performed at local or provincial laboratories.

Comments:

Specimens may be subject to rejection if they are not the appropriate sample type, have insufficient volume, or are not accompanied by relevant patient information.

Methods and Interpretation of Results:

Commercial IFA kit. This is a semi-quantitative test for the detection of IgG antibodies to A. phagocytophilum.  A four-fold or greater increase in IgG titre between two serum samples drawn 1 to 2 weeks apart is considered presumptive evidence of a recent or current infection with A. phagocytophilum.  An IgG endpoint greater than 1:64 alone should not be relied on for a diagnosis of Anaplasmosis.

Initiation of antibiotic treatment prior to testing may result in decreased antibody production which will affect the outcome of serological testing.

Turnaround Time:

21 calendar days.

Contact:
Phone #: (204) 789-6068
Fax: (204) 789-2082
References:
  1. Bakker, J.S., Dumler, J.S. 2008. Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis. Infect. Dis. Clin. N. Am. 22:433-448.
Fact Sheets: