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HelpTest ID SBL Blastomyces Antibody Immunodiffusion, 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.
Useful For
Detection of antibodies in serum specimens from patients with blastomycosis
Method Name
Immunodiffusion
Reporting Name
Blastomyces Ab, Immunodiffusion, SSpecimen Type
SerumSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.3 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days | |
| Frozen | 14 days |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Gross lipemia | Reject |
Clinical Information
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
Negative
Interpretation
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
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
1. Kaufman L, Kovacs JA, Reiss E: Clinical immunomycology. In: Rose NL, Conway-de Macario E, Folds JD, Lane HC, Nakamura RM, eds. Manual of Clinical Laboratory Immunology. ASM Press; 1997:588-589
2. Gauthier GM, Klein BS: Blastomycosis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020:3177-3189
Method Description
The immunodiffusion (ID) test is a qualitative test employed for the detection of precipitating antibodies present in the serum. Soluble antigens of the fungus are placed in wells of an agarose gel-filled Petri dish and the patient's serum and a control (positive) serum are placed in adjoining wells. If present, specific precipitate antibody will form precipitin lines between the wells. Their comparison to the control serum establishes the results. When performing the ID test, only precipitin bands of identity with the reference bands are significant.(Kaufman L, Kovacs JA, Reiss E: Clinical immunomycology. In: Rose NL, Conway-de Macario E, Folds JD, Lane HC, Nakamura RM, eds. Manual of Clinical Laboratory Immunology. ASM Press; 1997:587-588; Kaufman L, McLaughlin DW, Clark MJ, Blumer S: Specific immunodiffusion test for blastomycosis. Appl Microbiol. 1973;26:244-247; Williams JE, Murphy R, Standard PG, Phair JP: Serologic response in blastomycosis: diagnostic value of double immunodiffusion assay. Am Rev Resp Dis. 1981;123:209-212; Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020)
Day(s) Performed
Monday, Tuesday through Friday
Report Available
2 to 5 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
86612