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HelpTest ID LEIS Leishmaniasis (Visceral) Antibody, Serum
Specimen Required
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.2 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send Infectious Disease Serology Test Request (T916) with the specimen.
Useful For
Aiding in the diagnosis of active visceral leishmaniasis
This test should not be used as the sole criteria for diagnosis.
Method Name
Immunochromatographic Strip Assay
Reporting Name
Leishmaniasis (Visceral) Ab, SSpecimen Type
SerumSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.1 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days |
| Frozen | 14 days |
Clinical Information
Visceral leishmaniasis (kala azar) is a disseminated intracellular protozoal infection that targets primarily the reticuloendothelial system (liver, spleen, bone marrow) and is caused by Leishmania donovani, Leishmania chagasi, or Leishmania infantum (L donovani complex).
Transmission is by the bite of sandflies. Clinical symptoms include fever, weight loss, and splenomegaly; pancytopenia and hypergammaglobulinemia are often present. Most (90%) new cases each year arise in rural areas of India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sudan, and Brazil, but the disease has a worldwide distribution, including the Middle East.
Definitive diagnosis has required the microscopic documentation of characteristic intracellular amastigotes in stained smears from culture of aspirates of tissue (spleen, lymph node) or bone marrow. The detection of serum antibodies to the recombinant K39 antigen of L donovani is an alternative noninvasive sensitive (95%-100%) method for the diagnosis of active, visceral leishmaniasis.
Reference Values
Negative
Reference values apply to all ages.
Cautions
This test indicates only the presence of antibodies and should not be used as the sole criteria for diagnosis.
False-positive results may occur in patients with malaria or in the presence of rheumatoid factor.
Specimens containing glycerol or other viscous materials may interfere with the test.
Patients coinfected with HIV and Leishmania may fail to produce antibodies.
Day(s) Performed
Tuesday, Thursday
Report Available
Same day/1 to 4 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
86717