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25525 Babesia microti IgG Antibodies, Serum (BABG)

Babesia microti IgG Antibodies, Serum (BABG)
Test Code: BABGSO
Useful For
A serologic test can be used as an adjunct in the diagnosis of babesiosis or in seroepidemiologic surveys of the prevalence of the infection in certain populations. Babesiosis is usually diagnosed by observing the organisms in infected RBCs on Giemsa-stained thin blood films of smeared peripheral blood.
Serology may be useful if the parasitemia is too low to detect or if the infection has cleared naturally or following treatment. Serology may also be useful in the follow-up of documented cases of babesiosis or if chronic or persistent infection is suspected.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
​No ​Serum Serum Separator Tube (SST) ​Red Top Tube (RTT) ​0.5 mL ​0.25 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum​ ​ ​Refrigerated (Preferred) ​14 days
​Frozen ​14 days
Rejection Criteria
Gross Hemolysis
​Gross Lipemia
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Mayo Medical Laboratories​ ​Monday through Friday ​1 day ​Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA)
Reference Lab
Mayo Clinic Laboratories
Test Information

Babesiosis is a zoonotic infection caused by the protozoan parasite Babesia microti. The infection is acquired by contact with Ixodes ticks carrying the parasite. The deer mouse is the animal reservoir and, overall, the epidemiology of this infection is much like that of Lyme disease. Babesiosis is most prevalent in the Northeast, Upper Midwest, and Pacific Coast of the United States.

Infectious forms (sporozoites) are injected during tick bites and the organism enters the vascular system where it infects RBCs. In this intraerythrocytic stage it becomes disseminated throughout the reticuloendothelial system. Asexual reproduction occurs in RBCs, and daughter cells (merozoites) are formed which are liberated on rupture (hemolysis) of the RBC.

Most cases of babesiosis are probably subclinical or mild, but the infection can be severe and life threatening, especially in older or asplenic patients. Fever, fatigue, malaise, headache, and other flu-like symptoms occur most commonly. In the most severe cases, hemolysis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and shock may develop. Patients may have hepatomegaly and splenomegaly

Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
​Mayo Medical Laboratories ​<1:64
Interpretation
​A positive result of an indirect fluorescent antibody test (titer > or =1:64) suggests current or previous infection with Babesia microti. In general, the higher the titer, the more likely it is that the patient has an active infection. Patients with documented infections have usually had titers ranging from 1:320 to 1:2,560.
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
​86753 ​ ​ ​ ​
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
​No ​Serum Serum Separator Tube (SST) ​Red Top Tube (RTT) ​0.5 mL ​0.25 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum​ ​ ​Refrigerated (Preferred) ​14 days
​Frozen ​14 days
Rejection Criteria
Gross Hemolysis
​Gross Lipemia
Useful For
A serologic test can be used as an adjunct in the diagnosis of babesiosis or in seroepidemiologic surveys of the prevalence of the infection in certain populations. Babesiosis is usually diagnosed by observing the organisms in infected RBCs on Giemsa-stained thin blood films of smeared peripheral blood.
Serology may be useful if the parasitemia is too low to detect or if the infection has cleared naturally or following treatment. Serology may also be useful in the follow-up of documented cases of babesiosis or if chronic or persistent infection is suspected.
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
​Mayo Medical Laboratories ​<1:64
Interpretation
​A positive result of an indirect fluorescent antibody test (titer > or =1:64) suggests current or previous infection with Babesia microti. In general, the higher the titer, the more likely it is that the patient has an active infection. Patients with documented infections have usually had titers ranging from 1:320 to 1:2,560.
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Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Mayo Medical Laboratories​ ​Monday through Friday ​1 day ​Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA)
Reference Lab
Mayo Clinic Laboratories
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
​86753 ​ ​ ​ ​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.