Bartonella quintana (IgM) is a specific antibody marker that indicates a recent or active infection with the bacteria Bartonella quintana, which is responsible for diseases such as trench fever. The presence of IgM (immunoglobulin M) antibodies in the blood signifies that the immune system has recently encountered the bacteria, suggesting an early stage or acute infection. Bartonella quintana is typically transmitted through body lice, and infections can lead to symptoms like fever, headaches, muscle pain, and, in some cases, more severe conditions like endocarditis or chronic bacteremia. Detecting B. quintana (IgM) helps healthcare providers diagnose the infection early and start appropriate antibiotic treatments to manage and resolve the infection effectively.

The Bartonella quintana antibody (IgG) screen is a serological test designed to detect the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies specific to Bartonella quintana, a bacterium known for causing trench fever, bacillary angiomatosis, and endocarditis, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.

This test plays a critical role in the diagnostic process, especially in patients presenting with symptoms consistent with these conditions, such as prolonged fever, body aches, and in more severe cases, vascular lesions or heart valve infection.

The presence of B. quintana IgG antibodies indicates that the individual has been exposed to the bacterium, with their immune system generating a response.

Bartonella quintana antibody (IgM) testing is an important diagnostic tool used to detect acute infections caused by Bartonella quintana, a bacterium associated with several serious conditions, including trench fever, bacillary angiomatosis, and endocarditis. The presence of IgM antibodies against B. quintana in a patient's blood is a key indicator of recent or ongoing infection. IgM is the first class of antibodies the body produces in response to an infection.

Beta-2 glycoprotein 1 antibody is an autoantibody that is associated with inappropriate blood clotting. This test detects and measures one class (IgA) of beta-2 glycoprotein 1 antibodies.

The antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is a clinical-pathologic correlation that includes a clinical event (e.g. thrombosis, pregnancy loss, thrombocytopenia) and persistent positive antiphospholipid antibodies (IgM or IgG ACA >40 MPL/GPL,IgM or IgG anti-b2GPI antibodies or a lupus anticoagulant).

The assay contributes to the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). The clinical symptoms of APS alone are not sufficiently specific to make a definitive diagnosis. Laboratory tests thus play an important role in the diagnosis of the disease. In patients with APS, autoantibodies are formed that bind to phospholipids like cardiolipin or to phospholipid-binding proteins like beta-2-glycoprotein.

Detection of these autoantibodies is an integral part of the classification criteria issued by the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis.

Beta-2-glycoprotein I is a 50 KD protein cofactor required by anti-cardiolipin antibodies (ACA) to bind to cardiolipin and other phospholipid molecules.

Babesia is a tick-borne intraerythrocytic protozoan parasite, which can result in subclinical or mild illness in most cases, but occasionally, in immunocompromised individuals, the reaction can be severe.

The Babesia duncani WA1 IgG assay is used to detect antibodies due to infection of the tick-borne protozoa Babesia duncani in cases of diagnostic uncertainty or suspected chronic infection. The assay is performed by indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) method. Titer values above the reference intervals are considered evidence of current infection or past infection (e.g. within the last year).

What is Babesia microti p32 – IgM?

Babesia microti is a microscopic parasite that infects red blood cells and causes babesiosis, a malaria-like illness transmitted primarily by Ixodes scapularis ticks (also known as black-legged or deer ticks). This is the same tick species that spreads Lyme disease and anaplasmosis.

The p32 – IgM test detects early immune response to a specific protein (p32) found on Babesia microti. IgM antibodies are typically the first antibodies your immune system produces after exposure to an infection, usually appearing within the first 1 to 2 weeks. Therefore, a positive or elevated result suggests a recent or active Babesia infection.

What Does a Medium Result Mean?

A medium IgM result for Babesia microti p32 indicates a moderate level of early antibodies, which may reflect:

• An early infection in which the immune response is still developing

• A resolving infection, with IgM levels beginning to decline

• A nonspecific or borderline immune signal that may require further confirmation

Medium results are not conclusive on their own and should be interpreted alongside symptoms, exposure history, and other lab markers such as IgG antibodies or PCR testing (to detect Babesia DNA).