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Test Code EPCRB Ehrlichia/Anaplasma, Molecular Detection, PCR, Blood


Specimen Required


Container/Tube:

Preferred: Lavender top (EDTA)

Acceptable: Royal blue top (EDTA), pink top (EDTA), or sterile vial containing EDTA-derived aliquot

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions: Send whole blood specimen in original tube (preferred).


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, B

Specimen Type

Whole Blood EDTA

Specimen 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. Theel ES, Pritt BS. Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Related Intracellular Bacteria. In: Carroll KC, Pfaller MA, eds. Manual of Clinical Microbiology 13th ed. ASM Press, 2023

2. Pritt BS, Sloan LM, Johnson DK, et al. Emergence of a new pathogenic Ehrlichia species, Wisconsin and Minnesota, 2009. N Engl J Med. 2011;365(5):422-429

3. Johnson DKH, Schiffman EK, Davis JP, et al. Human infection with Ehrlichia muris-like pathogen, United States, 2007-2013. Emerg Infect Dis. 2015(10):1794-1799

4. Dixon EM, Branda JA, Clark SH, et al. Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis subcommittee report to the Tick-Borne Disease working group. Ticks and Tick Borne Dis. 2021;12(6):101823

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

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.