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Test Code BABPB Babesia species, Molecular Detection, PCR, Blood


Ordering Guidance


This is a qualitative assay, and the results are reported either as negative or positive for targeted Babesia species DNA.



Specimen Required


Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions: Send whole blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.


Useful For

Initial screening or confirmatory testing for suspected babesiosis during the acute febrile stage of infection in patients from endemic areas, especially when Giemsa-stained peripheral blood smears do not reveal any organisms, or the organism morphology is inconclusive

Method Name

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)/DNA Probe Hybridization

Reporting Name

Babesia species PCR, B

Specimen Type

Whole Blood EDTA

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Whole Blood EDTA Refrigerated 7 days

Reference Values

Negative

Reference values apply to all ages.

Interpretation

A positive result indicates the presence of Babesia species DNA and is consistent with active or recent infection. While positive results are highly specific indicators of disease, they should be correlated with blood smear microscopy, serological results, and clinical findings.

 

A negative result indicates absence of detectable DNA from Babesia species in the specimen but does not always rule out ongoing babesiosis in a seropositive person since the parasitemia may be present at a very low level or may be sporadic.

 

Other tests to consider in the evaluation of a patient presenting with an acute febrile illness following tick exposure include serologic tests for Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) and molecular detection (polymerase chain reaction: PCR) for ehrlichiosis/anaplasmosis. For patients who are past the acute stage of infection, serologic tests for these organisms should be ordered prior to PCR testing.

Clinical Reference

1. Anderson JF, Mintz ED, Gadbaw JJ, et al: Babesia microti, human babesiosis and Borrelia burgdorferi in Connecticut. J Clin Microbiol. 1991 Dec;29(12):2779-2783

2. Herwaldt BL, de Bruyn G, Pieniazek NJ, et al: Babesia divergens-like infection, Washington State. Emerg Infect Dis. 2004 Apr;10(4):622-629

3. Herwaldt B, Persing DH, Precigout EA, et al: A fatal case of babesiosis in Missouri: identification of another piroplasm that infects humans. Ann Intern Med. 1996 Apr 1;124(7):643-650

4. Persing DH, Herwaldt BL, Glaser C, et al: Infection with a Babesia-like organism in northern California. N Engl J Med. 1995 Feb 2;332(5):298-303

5. Quick RE, Herwaldt BL, Thomford JW, et al: Babesiosis in Washington State: a new species of Babesia? Ann Intern Med. 1993 Aug 15;119(4):284-290

6. Vannier E, Krause PJ: Human Babesiosis. N Engl J Med. 2012 Jun 21;366(25):2397-2407

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Saturday

Report Available

Same day/1 to 4 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

87798 x2         

87469  

87999 (if appropriate for government payers)

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
BABPB Babesia species PCR, B 88461-9

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
618317 Babesia microti 88452-8
618318 Babesia duncani 88451-0
618319 Babesia divergens/MO-1 88450-2

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Microbiology Test Request (T244) with the specimen.