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EPIC ORDER CODE LAB785 Bartonella Antibody Panel, IgG and IgM, Serum

Additional Codes

SQ: BARTM

Reporting Name

Bartonella Ab Panel, IgG and IgM

Useful For

Diagnosis of Bartonella infection, especially in the context of a cat scratch

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Serum


Specimen Required


Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube 5 mL (T914)

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into plastic vial.


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.15 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 30 days
  Frozen  30 days

Reference Values

BARTONELLA HENSELAE

IgG: <1:128

IgM: <1:20

 

BARTONELLA QUINTANA

IgG: <1:128

IgM: <1:20

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Saturday

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

86611 x 4

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
BART Bartonella Ab Panel, IgG and IgM 90251-0

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
15659 Bart Henselae IgG In Process
15660 Bart Henselae IgM In Process
15661 Bart Quintana IgG In Process
15662 Bart Quintana IgM In Process

Clinical Information

Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana are small, rod-shaped, pleomorphic, gram-negative bacteria. The human body louse (Pediculus humanis) is the proposed vector for B quintana. No animal reservoir has been determined for B quintana. The domestic cat is believed to be both a reservoir and vector for B henselae. Cats may infect humans directly through scratches, bites, or licks, or indirectly through an arthropod vector. Humans remain the only host in which Bartonella infection leads to significant disease.

 

The sight of entry for Bartonella is through openings in the skin. Microscopically, Bartonella lesions appear as rounded aggregates that proliferate rapidly. These aggregates are masses of Bartonella bacteria. Warthin-Starry staining has shown that Bartonella organisms can be present within the vacuoles of endothelial cells, in macrophages, and between cells in areas of necrosis. Occasionally organisms are seen in the lumens of vessels. While cutaneous lesions are common, disseminated tissue infection by Bartonella has been seen in the blood, lymph nodes, spleen, liver, bone marrow, and heart. B henselae has been associated with cat scratch disease (CSD), peliosis hepatitis (PH), bacillary angiomatosis (BA), and endocarditis. B quintana has been associated with trench fever, BA, and endocarditis. BA is a vascular proliferative disease usually involving the skin and regional lymph nodes.

 

CSD begins as a cutaneous papule or pustule that usually develops within a week after animal contact. Regional lymphadenopathy follows and is the predominant clinical feature of CSD. Trench fever was a significant problem during World War I and World War II and is characterized by a relapsing fever and severe pain in the shins. PH and febrile bacteremia syndrome are both syndromes that have afflicted patients with AIDS and patients who are immunocompromised. While trench fever and CSD are usually self-limiting illnesses, the other Bartonella-associated diseases can be life-threatening.

 

Interest in B quintana and B henselae has recently increased since its increased prevalence in patients with AIDS, a transplanted organ, or suppressed immunity.

Interpretation

A positive immunofluorescence assay (IFA) IgM (titer >1:20) suggests a current infection with either Bartonella henselae or Bartonella quintana.

 

A positive IgG (titer >1:128) suggests a current or previous infection. Increases in IgG titers in serial specimens suggest active infection.

 

Normal serum specimens usually have an IgG titer of less than 1:128. However, 5% to 10% of healthy controls exhibit a B henselae and B quintana titer of 1:128. Sera from healthy volunteers rarely show titers of 1:256 or greater. IgM titers in normal serum are typically less than 1:20. IgM titers at 1:20 or greater have not been seen in the normal population.

 

Molecular testing of tissue for Bartonella species nucleic acid is recommended in cases of suspected endocarditis.

Clinical Reference

1. Rodino KG, Stone E, Saleh OA, Theel ES. The Brief case: Bartonella henselae endocarditis-a case of delayed diagnosis. J Clin Microbiol. 2019;57(9). e00114-19. doi:10.1128/JCM.00114-19

2. Wolf LA, Cherry NA, Maggi RG, Breitschwerdt EB. In pursuit of a stealth pathogen: Laboratory diagnosis of bartonellosis. Clin Micro News. 2014;36(5):33-39

Method Description

The Euroimmun indirect immunofluorescence test is a standardized, in vitro assay for the determination of specific antibodies against Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana. BIOCHIP Mosaics are coated with B henselae and B quintana infected cells positioned next to each other in one reaction field. Samples are diluted and incubated on the substrate slides. If the reaction is positive, specific antibodies of class IgG and IgM attach to the antigens. In a second step, the attached antibodies are stained with fluorescein-labeled anti-human antibodies and made visible using fluorescence microscopy. Semiquantitative endpoint titers are obtained by testing serial dilutions of positive specimens.(Unpublished Mayo method)

Report Available

Same day/1 to 3 days

Specimen Retention Time

14 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis Reject
Gross lipemia Reject

Method Name

Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA)

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send Infectious Disease Serology Test Request (T916) with the specimen.