Burkholderia pseudomallei antibodies - serum
Last updated: Sunday, 21, May, 2006
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| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | 5-10 mL blood in plain tube. |
| Method | IHA, IFA, EIA |
| Application | The diagnosis of suspected melioidosis in patients who have lived in, or visited, endemic areas (primarily SE Asia and northern Australia) and have presented with pneumonia, secondary abscesses or unexplained acute septicaemic episodes. Culture of Burkholderia pseudomallei from blood, sputum, or tissue is more rapid and reliable means of diagnosing infection. |
| Interpretation | The IHA test is of limited clinical value. In a non-endemic area, a single titre of 40 or greater is regarded as positive, but a four-fold rise in titre is required for a definitive diagnosis. A negative result does not exclude the disease. EIA and IFA tests are much more sensitive. |
| Reference | Gilligan PH et al. In: Murray PR et al eds. Manual of Clinical Microbiology. 8th ed. ASM Press 2003 |