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HelpTest ID SFGP Spotted Fever Group Antibody, IgG and IgM, Serum
Specimen Required
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.
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 spotted fever group rickettsial infections
Testing Algorithm
For more information see Acute Tick-Borne Disease Testing Algorithm.
Special Instructions
Method Name
Immunofluorescence
Reporting Name
Spotted Fever Group Ab, IgG, IgM, SSpecimen Type
SerumSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.2 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days |
| Frozen | 14 days |
Clinical Information
Species of Rickettsia are small (0.3-0.5 mcm x 1-2 mcm) obligately intracellular bacteria (Proteobacteria). They have a gram-negative cell wall structure. Rickettsiae are found in arthropod hosts for at least part of their life cycle.
Rickettsial infections in the United States are caused by 2 major groups within the genus Rickettsia: spotted fever group and typhus fever group. The spotted fever group includes Rickettsia rickettsii (Rocky Mountain spotted fever), Rickettsia akari, Rickettsia conorii (Boutonneuse fever), Rickettsia australis (Queensland tick typhus), and Rickettsia sibirica (North Asian tick typhus). The typhus fever group includes Rickettsia typhi (murine typhus; endemic typhus) and Rickettsia prowazekii (epidemic typhus).
R rickettsiae is the most common rickettsial species encountered in the United States and is transmitted through a tick vector (Dermacentor species or, less commonly, Rhipicephalus sanguineus). Following a 2- to 14-day incubation period, patients most commonly present with fever, chills, and myalgia. A maculopapular rash typically appears 2 to 5 days after fever onset, though approximately 10% of patients will not develop a rash. Antibodies to the spotted fever group agents are detectable within 7 to 10 days after illness onset. Demonstration of either seroconversion or a 4-fold change in IgG-specific antibody titers in acute and convalescent serum samples is consistent with acute or ongoing disease.
Reference Values
IgG: <1:64
IgM: <1:64
Reference values apply to all ages.
Cautions
Cross-reactivity within the spotted fever group precludes the speciation of the infecting rickettsia by this procedure. Sera reactive with Rickettsia rickettsii must be termed "spotted fever group-positive." Spotted fever and typhus fever intragroup cross-reactivity is weak: cross-reactive titers are typically at least 16-fold lower than group-specific titers.
Antibody is variably absent for 1 to 2 weeks after onset of symptoms and an initial negative titer should not be used to exclude the diagnosis of rickettsial disease. A second serum specimen should be collected 1 to 2 weeks later to establish the diagnosis in such patients.
IgM titers must be interpreted with caution, especially in the absence of IgG. Cases should be further evaluated clinically or serologically by testing acute and convalescent serum in parallel to demonstrate a 4-fold or greater change in IgG or IgM titer.
Diagnosis of recent infection based on a single elevated IgG titer is complicated by the slow decline of antibody titer from past infection in many individuals. Titers may remain elevated for longer than 12 months, especially where antibiotic treatment was delayed or prior immunization was involved.
Some patients may maintain a long-term IgM titer, with or without IgG. It is important to check the IgM titer 1 to 2 weeks following testing of an acute specimen.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Report Available
Same day/1 to 3 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
86757 x 2