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HelpTest Code EPCRB Ehrlichia/Anaplasma, Molecular Detection, PCR, Blood
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
Evaluating patients suspected of acute anaplasmosis or ehrlichiosis
This test should not be used for screening asymptomatic individuals.
Method Name
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)/DNA Probe Hybridization
Reporting Name
Ehrlichia/Anaplasma, PCR, BSpecimen Type
Whole Blood EDTASpecimen Minimum Volume
0.3 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
Positive results indicate presence of specific DNA from Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Ehrlichia ewingii, Ehrlichia muris eauclairensis organism, or Anaplasma phagocytophilum and support the diagnosis of ehrlichiosis or anaplasmosis.
Negative results indicate absence of detectable DNA from any of these 4 pathogens in specimens but do not exclude the presence of these organisms or active or recent disease.
Since DNA of E ewingii is indistinguishable from that of Ehrlichia canis by this rapid polymerase chain reaction assay, a positive result for E ewingii/canis indicates the presence of DNA from either of these 2 organisms.
Clinical Reference
1. Bakken JS, Dunler JS: Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis. Clin Infect Dis. 2000 Aug;31(2):554-560
2. Dumler JS, Bakken JS: Human ehrlichioses: newly recognized infections transmitted by ticks. Ann Rev Med. 1998;49:201-213
3. Krause PJ, McKay K, Thompson CA, et al: Disease-specific diagnosis of coinfecting tickborne zoonoses: babesiosis, human granulocytic ehrlichiosis, and Lyme disease. Clin Infect Dis. 2002 May 1;34(9):1184-1191
4. McQuiston JH, Paddock CD, Holman RC, Childs JE: The human ehrlichioses in the United States. Emerg Infect Dis. 1999 Sept-Oct;5(5):635-642
5. Pritt BS, Sloan LM, Johnson DK, et al: Emergence of a new pathogenic Ehrlichia species, Wisconsin and Minnesota, 2009. N Engl J Med. 2011 Aug 4;365(5):422-429
6. Johnson DKH, Schiffman EK, Davis JP, et al: Human infection with Ehrlichia muris-like pathogen, United States, 2007-2013. Emerg Infect Dis. 2015 Oct; 21(10):1794-1799
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday
Report Available
Same day/1 to 4 daysPerforming 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
87468
87484
87798 x 2
87999 ( if appropriate for government payers)
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| EPCRB | Ehrlichia/Anaplasma, PCR, B | 87548-4 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 618323 | Anaplasma phagocytophilum | 87558-3 |
| 618324 | Ehrlichia chaffeensis | 87559-1 |
| 618325 | Ehrlichia ewingii/canis | 87560-9 |
| 618326 | Ehrlichia muris eauclairensis | 87561-7 |
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send Microbiology Test Request (T244) with the specimen.