Detection of antibodies in serum specimens from patients with blastomycosis
Immunodiffusion (ID)
Blastomycosis
Immunodiffusion Serology for Fungi
Serum
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
0.3 mL
Gross hemolysis | Reject |
Gross lipemia | Reject |
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days | |
Frozen | 14 days |
Detection of antibodies in serum specimens from patients with blastomycosis
The dimorphic fungus, Blastomyces dermatitidis, causes blastomycosis.
Negative
A positive result is suggestive of infection, but the results cannot distinguish between active disease and prior exposure.
Routine culture of clinical specimens (eg, respiratory specimen) is recommended in cases of suspected, active blastomycosis.
Mayo Clinic Laboratories' experience with the immunodiffusion test is that it is positive in fewer cases of blastomycosis than the 70% to 85% reported elsewhere.
Patients with histoplasmosis may have low-titered cross reactions.
1. Kaufman L, Kovacs JA, Reiss E. Clinical immunomycology. In: Rose NL, Conway-de Macario E, Folds JD, Lane HC, Nakamura RM, eds. Manual of Clinical Laboratory Immunology. ASM Press; 1997:588-589
2. Gauthier GM, Klein BS. Blastomycosis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020:3177-3189
The immunodiffusion (ID) test is a qualitative test employed for the detection of precipitating antibodies present in the serum. Soluble antigens of the fungus are placed in wells of an agarose gel-filled Petri dish and the patient's serum and a control (positive) serum are placed in adjoining wells. If present, specific precipitate antibody will form precipitin lines between the wells. Their comparison to the control serum establishes the results. When performing the ID test, only precipitin bands of identity with the reference bands are significant.(Kaufman L, Kovacs JA, Reiss E. Clinical immunomycology. In: Rose NL, Conway-de Macario E, Folds JD, Lane HC, Nakamura RM, eds. Manual of Clinical Laboratory Immunology. ASM Press; 1997:587-588; Kaufman L, McLaughlin DW, Clark MJ, Blumer S. Specific immunodiffusion test for blastomycosis. Appl Microbiol. 1973;26:244-247; Williams JE, Murphy R, Standard PG, Phair JP. Serologic response in blastomycosis: diagnostic value of double immunodiffusion assay. Am Rev Resp Dis. 1981;123:209-212; Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020)
Monday through Friday
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.
86612
Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
SBL | Blastomyces Ab, Immunodiffusion, S | 5058-3 |
Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
---|---|---|
15125 | Blastomyces Immunodiffusion | 5058-3 |
Change Type | Effective Date |
---|---|
Test Status - Test Resumed | 2023-03-17 |