Indirect Immunofluorescent Assay (IFA) - IgG

Detection of IgG antibody to Bartonella henselae by IFA.

Fresh human serum. Minimum volume of serum required - 0.5 mL. Hyperlipaemic, haemolysed or contaminated sera may yield erroneous results.

Collect blood aseptically in a sterile serum separator tube or sterile tube without preservatives.

Transfer an aliquot of serum to a 1.5 mL screw-top vial with O-ring (Sarstedt vial). Store specimen refrigerated up to five days or store frozen until shipped for testing. Ship frozen on dry ice or wet ice.

Shipping of specimens shall be done by a TDG certified individual in accordance with TDG regulations. For additional information regarding classification of specimens for the purposes of shipping, consult either Part 2 Appendix 3 of the TDG Regulations or section 3.6.2 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations as applicable.

Clinical manifestations of B. henselae infection, also referred to as “Cat scratch disease” (CSD), may include localized infections such as subacute regional lymphadenopathy, skin lesions, musculoskeletal lesions, culture-negative endocarditis, and uveitis and retinitis; however systemic manifestations are also common resulting in symptoms of fever, meningitis, osteomyelitis, arthritis and bacillary angiomatosis.

Completed ‘Requisition for Cat-Scratch Disease (Bartonella henselae) Serology’.

Specimens may be subject to rejection if they are not the appropriate sample type, have insufficient volume or are not accompanied by relevant patient information or clinical history.

Commercial IFA kit. Human sera are screened for IgG antibody to B. henselae at a dilution of 1:64. Samples, reactive at the screening dilution, are serially titrated two-fold to determine end-point titre. An IgG endpoint greater than 1:64 alone should not be relied on for a diagnosis of infection with B. henselae.

A four-fold or greater increase in IgG titre between two serum samples drawn one to two weeks apart and tested in parallel is considered presumptive evidence of a recent or current infection with B. henselae.

Initiation of antibiotic treatment prior to testing may result in decreased antibody production which will affect the outcome of serological testing.

As with any laboratory test, results of the test should be interpreted with consideration of all laboratory and clinical findings available.

FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY.

21 calendar days.

1. Chomel B, Boulouis HJ, Maruyama S, Breitschwerdt EB. Bartonella Spp. in pets and effect on human health. (2006) Emerg. Infect. Dis. (12):389-394.
2. Raoult D. From cat scratch disease to Bartonella henselae infection. (2007) Clin. Infect. Dis. (45):1541-1542.