Amoebic – Serology

Consistent with O. Reg. 671/92 of the French Language Services Act, laboratory testing information on this page is only available in English because it is scientific or technical in nature and is for use only by qualified health care providers and not by members of the public.

*Uncontrolled print copy. Valid only on day of print: 01 May 2024.

Specimen Collection and Handling

Specimen Requirements

Test Requested	Required Requisition(s)	Specimen Type	Minimum Volume	Collection Kit
Amoeba	General Test Requisition	Serum	1.0 ml	Vacuntainer tubes (SST)
Amoeba	General Test Requisition	Blood, clotted	5.0 ml	Vacuntainer tubes (SST)

Timing of Specimen Collection

An acute (collected early after the onset of symptoms) and a convalescent (collected 2-3 weeks later) may be required for laboratory diagnosis.

Limitations

Haemolysed, icteric, lipemic or microbially contaminated sera or plasma are not recommended for testing.

Storage and Transport

Label the specimen container with the patient’s full name, date of collection and one other unique identifier such as the patient’s date of birth or Health Card Number. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection or testing delay.

Special Instructions

Specimens should be stored at 2-8°C following collection and shipped to PHOL on ice packs.

Requisitions and Kit Ordering

Test Frequency and Turnaround Time (TAT)

Amoebic (Entamoeba histolytica) serology testing is performed once per week.

Turnaround time is up to 10 days from receipt by PHO Laboratory.

Test Methods

Amoebic (Entamoeba histolytica) serology testing for IgG is performed using a commercial Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA).

Reporting

Results are reported to the ordering physician or health care provider as indicated on the requisition

Specimens that are positive for Amoebiasis serology are reported to the Medical Officer of Health as per the Health Protection and Promotion Act.

References

LAB-SD-008, Blood Collection using Serum Separator Tubes