Test ID: SBL
Blastomyces Antibody by Immunodiffusion, Serum
Useful For 
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Detection of antibodies in patients having blastomycosis
Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
The dimorphic fungus, Blastomyces dermatitidis, causes blastomycosis. When the organism is inhaled, it causes pulmonary disease - cough, pain, and hemoptysis, along with fever and night sweats. It commonly spreads to the skin, bone, or internal genitalia where suppuration and granulomas are typical. Occasionally, primary cutaneous lesions after trauma are encountered; however, this type of infection is uncommon.
Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
Negative
Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
A positive result is suggestive of infection, but the results cannot distinguish between active disease and prior exposure.
Routine culture of clinical specimens (eg, respiratory specimen) is recommended in cases of suspected, active blastomycosis.
Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
The Mayo experience with the immunodiffusion test is that it is positive in fewer cases of blastomycosis than the 70% to 85% reported elsewhere.
Patients with histoplasmosis may have low-titered cross reactions.
Clinical Reference Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
Kaufman L, Kovacs JA, Reiss E: Clinical Immunomycology. In Manual of Clinical and Laboratory Immunology. Edited by NL Rose, E Conway-de Macario, JD Folds, et al. Washington, DC, American Society for Microbiology, 1997, pp 588-589
External
link
PDF
document
Excel
document
Word
document