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Test ID: TICKS    
Tick-Borne Disease Antibodies Panel, Serum

Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Evaluation of the most common tick-borne diseases found in the United States, including Lyme disease, human monocytic and granulocytic ehrlichiosis, and babesiosis

 

Evaluation of patients with a history of, or suspected, tick exposure who are presenting with fever, myalgia, headache, nausea, and other nonspecific symptoms

Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

In North America, ticks are the primary vectors of infectious diseases.(1) Worldwide, ticks rank second only to mosquitoes in disease transmission. In the United States, tick-borne diseases include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, human monocytic and granulocytic ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, tularemia, relapsing fever, and Colorado tick fever.

 

Symptoms of the various tick-vectored diseases range from mild to life-threatening. Early symptoms, which include fever, aches, and malaise, do not aid in distinguishing the various diseases. Because early treatment can minimize or eliminate the risk of severe disease, early detection is essential, yet patients may not have developed distinctive symptoms to help in the differential diagnosis. A tick-borne panel can assist in identifying the pathogen, allowing treatment to be initiated.

 

For information on the specific diseases, please see the individual unit codes.

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.

Ehrlichia chaffeensis (HME) ANTIBODY, IgG

<1:64

 

Anaplasma phagocytophilum ANTIBODY, IgG

<1:64

 

Babesia microti IgG ANTIBODIES

<1:64

 

LYME DISEASE SEROLOGY

Negative

Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

See Individual Unit Codes

Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

See Individual Unit Codes

Supportive Data

See Individual Unit Codes

Clinical Reference Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature

Mathieu ME, Wilson BB: Ticks (including tick paralysis). In Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, Vol. 1. 5th edition. Edited by GL Mandell, JE Bennett, R Dolin. Philadelphia, Churchill Livingston, 2000, pp 2980-2983

Special Instructions and Forms Describes specimen collection and preparation information, test algorithms, and other information pertinent to test. Also includes pertinent information and consent forms to be used when requesting a particular test