Test ID: EHRC
Ehrlichia chaffeensis (HME) Antibody, IgG, Serum
Secondary ID 
A test code used for billing and in test definitions created prior to November 2011
NY State Approved Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
As an adjunct in the diagnosis of ehrlichiosis and/or in seroepidemiological surveys of the prevalence of the infection in certain populations
Ehrlichiosis is sometimes diagnosed by observing the organisms in infected WBCs on Giemsa-stained thin blood films of smeared peripheral blood (morulae). Serology may be useful if the morulae are not seen or if the infection has cleared naturally or following treatment.
Serology may also be useful in the follow-up of documented cases of ehrlichiosis or when coinfection with other tick- transmitted organisms is suspected. In selected cases, documentation of infection may be attempted by PCR methods.
Method Name A short description of the method used to perform the test
Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA)
Reporting Name A shorter/abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test; an abbreviated test name
Aliases Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
Tick Borne Diseases
HME (Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis)
Specimen Type Describes the specimen type needed for testing
Specimen Required Defines the optimal specimen. This field describes the type of specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing. The volume allows automated processing, fastest throughput and, when indicated, repeat or reflex testing.
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Red top
Acceptable: Serum gel
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume Defines the amount of specimen required to perform an assay once, including instrument and container dead space. Submitting the minimum specimen volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory or perform reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum specimen volume may result in a QNS (quantity not sufficient) result, requiring a second specimen to be collected.
Reject Due To Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Hemolysis | Mild OK; Gross reject |
| Lipemia | Mild OK; Gross reject |
| Icterus | NA |
| Other | Heat-inactivated specimen |
Specimen Stability Information Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the laboratory. Alternate acceptable temperature(s) are also included.
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days |
| Frozen | 14 days |
Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Ehrlichiosis is an emerging zoonotic infection caused by obligate intracellular, gram-negative rickettsia that infect leukocytes.
Human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME) is caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis and is transmitted by the Lone Star tick, Amblyomma americanum. The deer is believed to be the animal reservoir and most cases of HME have been reported from the southeastern and south-central region of the United States.
Infectious forms are injected during tick bites and the organism enters the vascular system where it infects monocytes. It is sequestered in host-cell membrane-limited parasitophorous vacuoles known as morulae. These can be readily observed on Giemsa- or Wright's-stained smears of peripheral blood from infected persons. Macrophages in organs of the reticuloendothelial system are also infected. Asexual reproduction occurs in WBCs and daughter cells are formed which are liberated upon cell rupture.
Most cases of ehrlichiosis are probably subclinical or mild, but the infection can be severe and life-threatening; there is a 2% to 3% mortality rate. Fever, fatigue, malaise, headache, and other "flu-like" symptoms occur most commonly. Central nervous system involvement can result in seizures and coma. Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated hepatic transaminases are frequent laboratory findings.
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.
<1:64
Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
A positive immunofluorescence assay (titer >or =1:64) suggests current or previous infection with Ehrlichia chaffeensis. In general, the higher the titer, the more likely the patient has an active infection. Four-fold rises in titer also indicate active infection.
Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
Serology for IgG may be negative during the acute phase of infection but a diagnostic titer usually appears by the third week after onset. Previous episodes of ehrlichiosis may produce a positive serology although antibody levels decline significantly during the year following infection.
Performance characteristics have not been established for hemolyzed or lipemic specimens.
Clinical Reference Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
Fishbein DB, Dawson JE, Robinson LE: Human ehrlichiosis in the United States, 1985 to 1990. Ann Intern Med 1994;120:736-743
Method Description Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
Immunofluorescence assay technique using antigen substrate slides consisting of a cell culture infected with Ehrlichia chaffeenis. (Dawson JE, Fishbein DB, Eng TR, et al: Diagnosis of human ehrlichiosis with the indirect fluorescent antibody test: kinetics and specificity. J Infect Dis 1990;162:91-95)
Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed Outlines the days and times the test is performed. This field reflects the day and time the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time required before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means assays are performed several times during the day.
Monday through Friday; 9 a.m.
Analytic Time Defines the amount of time it takes the laboratory to setup and perform the test. This is defined in number of days. The shortest interval of time expressed is "same day/1 day," which means the results may be available the same day that the sample is received in the testing laboratory. One day means results are available 1 day after the sample is received in the laboratory.
Maximum Laboratory Time Defines the maximum time from specimen receipt at Mayo Medical Laboratories until the release of the test result
Specimen Retention Time Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location The location of the laboratory that performs the test
Test Classification Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer's instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR), Investigation Use Only (IUO) product, or a Research Use Only (RUO) product.
CPT Code Information Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Medical Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
86666
LOINC® Code Information Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the result codes returned for this test or profile.
| Result ID | Reporting Name | LOINC Code |
|---|---|---|
| 81478 | Ehrlichia Chaffeensis (HME) Ab, IgG | 47405-6 |
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