Ordering Recommendation

Detects antibodies during acute phase; paired concurrent specimen with IgG reduces false positive rate. Convalescent sera may be required for diagnosis.

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Serum separator tube (SST) or Plain Red/Red-Top.

Specimen Preparation

Separate serum from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 1 mL serum to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. (Min: 0.6 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions

Contaminated, heat-inactivated, or turbid specimens.

Remarks
Stability

After separation from cells: Ambient: 48 hours; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 1 month

Methodology

Semi-Quantitative Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

Performed

Mon, Wed, Fri

Reported

1-6 days

Reference Interval

9 U/mL or less Negative - No significant level of IgM antibody to Francisella tularensis detected.
10-15 U/mL Equivocal - Questionable presence of IgM antibody to Francisella tularensis. Repeat testing in 10-14 days may be helpful.
16 U/mL or greater Positive - Presence of IgM antibody to Francisella tularensis detected, suggestive of current or recent exposure/immunization.

Interpretive Data

Cross-reactivity with Brucella and Yersinia antibodies may occur. Therefore, results should be interpreted with caution and correlated with clinical information. The best evidence for current infection is a significant change on two appropriately timed specimens, where both tests are performed in the same laboratory at the same time.

Compliance Category

Laboratory Developed Test (LDT)

Note

If the ELISA testing is equivocal or positive, then Francisella tularensis Antibodies by Agglutination will be added. Additional charges apply.

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

86668; if reflexed add 86000

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
2005352 Francisella tularensis Antibody, IgM 16878-1
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

Aliases

  • F. tularensis IgM
  • Francisella Antibodies
  • Francisella Tularensis Ab
Francisella tularensis Antibody, IgM with Reflex to Agglutination