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HelpTest ID ADNAS Anti-DNase B Titer, Serum
Useful For
Demonstration of acute or recent streptococcal infection using anti-DNase B titer
Reporting Name
Anti-DNase B Titer, SSpecimen Type
SerumSpecimen Required
Patient Preparation: Fasting preferred but not required
Supplies: Sarstedt 5 mL Aliquot Tube (T914)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into plastic vial.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 28 days | |
| Frozen | 28 days | ||
| Ambient | 7 days |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | OK |
| Gross lipemia | Reject |
| Gross icterus | OK |
Clinical Information
A number of bacterial antigens have been identified in cultures of group A streptococci. These extracellular products are primarily enzymatic proteins and include streptolysin O, streptokinase, hyaluronidase, deoxyribonucleases (DNases A, B, C, and D), and nicotinamide adenine nucleotidase.
Infections by the group A streptococci are unique because they can be followed by serious nonpurulent complications of rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis. Recent information suggests that rheumatic fever is associated with infection by certain rheumatogenic serotypes (M1, M3, M5, M6, M18, and M19), while glomerulonephritis follows infection by nephritogenic serotypes (M2, M12, M49, M57, M59, and M60).
Glomerulonephritis and rheumatic fever occur following the infection, after a period of latency following the infection, during which the patient is asymptomatic. The latency period for glomerulonephritis is approximately 10 days, and the latency period for rheumatic fever is 20 days.
Reference Values
<5 years: ≤250 U/mL
5-17 years ≤375 U/mL
≥18 years: ≤300 U/mL
Interpretation
Elevated values are consistent with an antecedent infection by group A streptococci. Although the antistreptolysin O (ASO) test is quite reliable, performing the anti-DNase is justified for 2 primary reasons. First, the ASO response is not universal. Elevated ASO titers are found in the sera of about 85% of individuals with rheumatic fever; ASO titers remain normal in about 15% of individuals with the disease. The same holds true for other streptococcal antibody tests: a significant portion of individuals with normal antibody titers for 1 test will have elevated antibody titers for another test. Thus, the percentage of false-negative results can be reduced by performing 2 or more antibody tests. Second, skin infections, in contrast to throat infections, are associated with a poor ASO response. Patients with acute glomerulonephritis following skin infection (post-impetigo) have an attenuated immune response to streptolysin O. For such patients, performance of an alternative streptococcal antibody test, such as this assay, is recommended.
Cautions
False-high titers may be obtained with sera that are contaminated by certain bacterial organisms during shipment or storage and in patients with liver disease where the presence of high lipoprotein concentrations in the serum may mimic antibody activity.
Clinical Reference
1. Ayoub EM, Harden E: Immune response to streptococcal antigens: diagnostic methods. In: Rose NR, de Marco EC, Folds JD, et al, eds. Manual of Clinical and Laboratory Immunology. 5th ed. ASM Press; 1997
2. Anti-DNase B. Testing .com. Updated June 28, 2021. Accessed February 11, 2022. Available at www.testing.com/tests/anti-dnase-b/
Method Description
In this Siemens Nephelometer II method, the light scattered onto the antigen-antibody complexes is measured. The intensity of the measured scattered light is proportional to the amount of antigen-antibody complexes in the sample under certain conditions. If the antibody volume is kept constant, the signal behaves proportionally to the antigen volume.
A reference curve is generated by a standard with a known antigen content on which the scattered light signals of the samples can be evaluated and calculated as an antigen concentration. Antigen-antibody complexes are formed when a sample containing antigen and the corresponding antiserum are put into a cuvette. A light beam is generated with a light-emitting diode, which is transmitted through the cuvette. The light is scattered onto the immuno-complexes that are present. Antigen and antibody are mixed in the initial measurement, but no complex is formed yet. An antigen-antibody complex is formed in the final measurement.
The result is calculated by subtracting value of the final measurement from the initial measurement. The distribution of intensity of the scattered light depends on the ratio of the particle size of the antigen-antibody complexes to the radiated wavelength.(Instruction manual: Siemens Nephelometer II. Siemens, Inc; Version 2.3, 2008; Addendum to the Instruction Manual 2.3. 08/2017)
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Report Available
1 to 3 daysTest 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
86215
NY State Approved
YesMethod Name
Nephelometry