Test ID STLPC St. Louis Encephalitis Antibody Panel, IgG and IgM, Spinal Fluid
Useful For
Aiding the diagnosis of St. Louis encephalitis
Method Name
Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA)
Reporting Name
St. Louis Enceph Ab Panel, CSFSpecimen Type
CSFAdvisory Information
This assay detects only St. Louis virus. For a complete arbovirus panel, order ABOPC / Arbovirus Antibody Panel, IgG and IgM, Spinal Fluid.
New York State Clients: This test is not available for specimens originating in New York.
Specimen Required
Container/Tube: Sterile vial
Specimen Volume: 0.8 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.70 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
CSF | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days | |
Frozen | 14 days |
Clinical Information
Since 1933, outbreaks of St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) have involved the western United States, Texas, the Ohio-Mississippi Valley, and Florida. The vector of transmission is the mosquito. Peak incidence occurs in summer and early autumn. Disease onset is characterized by generalized malaise, fever, chills, headache, drowsiness, nausea, and sore throat or cough followed in 1 to 4 days by meningeal and neurologic signs. The severity of illness increases with advancing age; persons over 60 years have the highest frequency of encephalitis. Symptoms of irritability, sleeplessness, depression, memory loss, and headaches can last up to 3 years.
Infections with arboviruses, including SLE, can occur at any age. The age distribution depends on the degree of exposure to the particular transmitting arthropod relating to age, sex, and occupational, vocational, and recreational habits of the individuals. Once humans have been infected, the severity of the host response may be influenced by age. SLE tends to produce the most severe clinical infections in older persons.
Reference Values
IgG: <1:1
IgM: <1:1
Reference values apply to all ages.
Interpretation
Detection of organism-specific antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may suggest central nervous system (CNS) infection. However, these results are unable to distinguish between intrathecal antibodies and serum antibodies introduced into the CSF at the time of lumbar puncture or from a breakdown in the blood-brain barrier. The results should be interpreted with other laboratory and clinical data prior to a diagnosis of CNS infection.
Clinical Reference
1. Gonzalez-Scarano F, Nathanson N: Bunyaviruses. In: Fields BM, Knipe DM, eds. Virology. Vol 1. 2nd ed. Raven Press; 1990:1195-1228
2. Donat JF, Rhodes KH, Groover RV, Smith TF: Etiology and outcome in 42 children with acute nonbacterial meningoencephalitis. Mayo Clin Proc. 1980:55:156-160
3. Tsai TF: Arboviruses. In: Murray PR, Baron EF, Pfaller MA, et al, eds. Manual of Clinical Microbiology. 7th ed. ASM Press; 1999:1107-1124
4. Calisher CH: Medically important arboviruses of the United States and Canada. Clin Microbiol Rev. 1994;7:89-116
5. Diaz A, Coffey LL, Burkett-Cadena N, et al. Reemergence of St. Louis Encephalitis Virus in the Americas. Emerg Infect Dis. 2018;24(12):2150-2157. doi: 10.3201/eid2412.180372
Day(s) and Time(s) Performed
May through October: Monday through Friday; 9 a.m.
November through April: Monday, Wednesday, Friday; 9 a.m.
Analytic Time
Same day/1 dayTest Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
86653 x 2
LOINC Code Information
Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
STLPC | St. Louis Enceph Ab Panel, CSF | 96254-8 |
Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
26367 | St. Louis Enceph Ab, IgG, CSF | 21509-5 |
26368 | St. Louis Enceph Ab, IgM, CSF | 21510-3 |
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Microbiology Test Request (T244) with the specimen.
Testing Algorithm
See Mosquito-borne Disease Laboratory Testing in Special Instructions.