Ehrlichia chaffeensis – 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.
Specimen Requirements
Test Requested | Required Requisition(s) | Specimen Type | Minimum Volume | Collection Kit |
Ehrlichia chaffeensis serology, or HME serology, or Human monocytic Ehrlichiosis serology, or Ehrlichia serology |
Serum |
1.0 ml |
Blood, clotted - vacutainer tubes (SST) |
|
Ehrlichia chaffeensis serology, or HME serology, or Human monocytic Ehrlichiosis serology, or Ehrlichia serology |
Blood |
5.0 ml |
Blood, clotted - vacutainer tubes (SST) |
Submission and Collection Notes
Complete the following fields of the General Test Requisition Form if diagnostic testing is required:
- Clinical symptoms
- Exposure (e.g. tick bite)
- Travel history
- Onset date
Clinical information and travel history is required prior to testing E. chaffeensis serology.
PCR testing is also available upon request. Contact the laboratory prior to submission if you require PCR testing.
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
Centrifuge if using SST. Label specimens with at least two identifiers; place it in biohazard bag and seal. Specimens should be stored at 2-8°C following collection and shipped to PHOL on ice packs.
Test Frequency and Turnaround Time (TAT)
Ehrlichia chaffeensis IgG is a Referred Out Test. Samples are sent to the National Microbiology Lab (NML) in Winnipeg.
Turnaround time is up to 42 days from receipt by PHO Laboratory.
Ehrlichia chaffeensis IgG test is performed using Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA).
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