Blastomyces Canine Antibody IgG EIA
- Test Information
- Specimen Requirements
- Shipping Information
Test Code
330
Clinical Significance
IgG antibodies to Blastomyces antigen appear to be associated with active infection, especially in dogs with moderate to high positive (20 EU or greater) results. Antibodies may also be detected in a small percentage of healthy dogs as a result of sub-clinical infection within the last 2 years; however, results of preliminary studies show high specificity of the assay (>90%) in healthy animals from Blastomyces-endemic areas. IgG may be detected in blastomycosis cases with false-negative antigen results (especially with localized disease; e.g., ocular or bone infections) and combined antibody and antigen testing increases the overall sensitivity. Intermediate results (8-9.9 EU) typically reflect either rising or falling IgG, and retesting the patient in several weeks may be beneficial.
Methodology
Semi-Quantitative Indirect Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA)
Limitations
Cross-reactivity/False Positives: Low: Blastomyces and Coccidioides (true positives are considerably higher than cross-reactive results)
Turnaround Time
Results Released: 24-48 hours
Reference Range
Negative
Interpretative Information
Negative: <8.0 EU
Intermediate: 0 EU – 9.9 EU
Positive: 0 EU – 80.0 EU
Positive Above the Limit of Quantification: >80.0 EUSpecimen Collection
- Specimen: Serum
- Uncommon Specimen: CSF, Plasma
Anticoagulant: Heparin, EDTA, NaCit
Container:
- Serum: Submit serum in a separator or transfer tube.
- CSF/Plasma: Submit CSF/Plasma in a sterile leak-proof container.
Minimum Specimen Requirements
Volume: 0.25 mL
Specimen Stability
- Room temperature: 28 days
- Refrigerated: 6 months
- Frozen: indefinite
Specimen Rejection
- Any specimen other than serum, plasma, or cerebrospinal fluid
- For specimen submissions that do not meet these criteria, please call Customer Service
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated/Frozen
Shipping
Ship overnight or 2nd day – ambient or with cold pack
* New positives may require confirmation.
** Turnaround times are provided as ranges, and may vary depending on daily testing volumes and specimen type.
*** Test set up: Samples received by 10:30AM will have same-day test set up. Positive samples may require confirmation which may extend turnaround time. Serum & CSF specimens are pretreated to improve sensitivity which can add one day to turnaround time.