Test Catalog

Test Id : CHLM

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Chlamydia IgM, Immunofluorescence, Serum

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Overview

Test Catalog

Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Assessing IgM antibody levels to aid in the clinical diagnosis of Chlamydia pneumoniae or Chlamydia psittaci infections

Testing Algorithm
Delineates situations when tests are added to the initial order. This includes reflex and additional tests.

This test includes testing for Chlamydia pneumoniae IgM, and Chlamydia psittaci IgM

Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test

Micro-Immunofluorescent Antibody (MIF) Assay

NY State Available
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.

Yes

Reporting Name
Lists a shorter or abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test

Chlamydia IgM, IFA, S

Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching

Bedsonia

Chlamydia Antibodies, IgM

Chlamydia pneumoniae (TWAR)

Chlamydia pneumoniae, IgM

Chlamydia psittaci, IgM

Chlamydia TWAR

Chlamydophila

Chlamydophila pneumonia

Chlamydophila pneumoniae

Chlamydophila psattaci

Chlamydophila psittaci

LGV (Lymphogranuloma Venereum)

Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV) Antibodies

Ornithosis

Psittacosis

Psittacosis Antibodies

TWAR

TWAR (Chlamydia pneumoniae)

CHLM

Testing Algorithm
Delineates situations when tests are added to the initial order. This includes reflex and additional tests.

This test includes testing for Chlamydia pneumoniae IgM, and Chlamydia psittaci IgM

Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type validated for testing

Serum

Ordering Guidance

For suspected Chlamydia trachomatis infection, order either CTRNA / Chlamydia trachomatis, Nucleic Acid Amplification, Varies or CGRNA / Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Nucleic Acid Amplification, Varies.

Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 0.3 mL

Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.

Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of sample necessary to provide a clinically relevant result as determined by the testing laboratory. The minimum volume is sufficient for one attempt at testing.

0.15 mL

Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected

Gross hemolysis Reject
Gross lipemia Reject
Gross icterus Reject
Heat-inactivated specimen Reject

Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the performing laboratory, alternate acceptable temperatures are also included

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 30 days
Frozen 30 days

Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Assessing IgM antibody levels to aid in the clinical diagnosis of Chlamydia pneumoniae or Chlamydia psittaci infections

Testing Algorithm
Delineates situations when tests are added to the initial order. This includes reflex and additional tests.

This test includes testing for Chlamydia pneumoniae IgM, and Chlamydia psittaci IgM

Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

Members of the family Chlamydiaceae are small, nonmotile, gram-negative, obligate intracellular organisms that grow in the cytoplasm of host cells. While there are at least 9 species within the Chlamydia genus, 3 are clinically significant, including Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Chlamydia psittaci.

 

The chlamydial life cycle can be divided into 2 distinct phases: an extracellular, nonreplicating, infectious stage and an obligate intracellular, replicating, noninfectious stage. The infectious form, or elementary body (EB), attaches to the target cell membrane and enters the cell via a phagosome. After cell entry, the EB reorganizes into reticulate particles (forming inclusion bodies) and binary fission begins. After 18 to 24 hours, reticulate particles condense to form EBs. These new EBs are released, beginning another infection cycle.

 

C psittaci is the causative agent of psittacosis, a disease characterized by pneumonia, headache, altered mentation, and hepatosplenomegaly. Psittacosis is acquired by airborne transmission from infected birds.

 

C pneumoniae (formerly known as Taiwan acute respiratory agent and, more recently, as Chlamydophila pneumoniae) causes pneumonia in humans. It is unique because it is a primary pathogen of humans, is spread from human to human, and apparently has no animal or bird host. C pneumoniae is responsible for approximately 10% of pneumonia cases.

Reference Values
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.

Chlamydia pneumoniae

<1:10

 

Chlamydia psittaci

<1:10

Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Chlamydia psittaci

> or =1:10

IgM endpoint titers of 1:10 or more are considered presumptive evidence of infection.

 

<1:10

IgM endpoint titers below 1:10 suggest that the patient does not have a current infection. These antibody levels may be found in patients with either no history of chlamydial infection or those with past infection whose antibody levels have dropped below detectable levels.

Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

Specimens collected too early during primary infection may not contain detectable antibodies. If chlamydial infection is suspected, a second specimen should be collected 10 to 21 days later and tested in parallel with the original specimen.

 

During a primary Chlamydia infection, the early antibody response may be cross-reactive with multiple Chlamydia species.

 

This assay does not report antibodies detected against Chlamydia trachomatis. Sera from suspected cases of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) should be tested by a Lymphogranuloma Venereum Differentiation Antibody Panel. LGV testing is not performed by Mayo Clinic Laboratories; call 800-533-1710 for assistance with ordering.

 

Due to the limited sensitivity and specificity of Chlamydia serologic tests, patients with suspected C trachomatis infection should be tested by a molecular method (eg, CTRNA / Chlamydia trachomatis, Nucleic Acid Amplification, Varies or CGRNA / Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Nucleic Acid Amplification, Varies) to evaluate for current/active infection.

Clinical Reference
Recommendations for in-depth reading of a clinical nature

1. Schlossberg D. Psittacosis (due to Chlamydia psittaci). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020:2320-2322

2. Hammerschlag MR, Kohlhoff SA, Gaydos CA. Chlamydia pneumoniae. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020:2323-2331

Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference

The microimmunofluorescent antibody assay is a 2-stage "sandwich" procedure. In the first stage, the patient serum is diluted in phosphate-buffered saline, added to appropriate slide wells in contact with the substrate, and incubated. After incubation, the slide is washed in buffered saline to remove unbound serum antibodies. In the second stage, each antigen well is overlaid with fluorescein-labeled antibody to IgM. The slide is incubated, allowing antigen-antibody complexes to react with the fluorescein-labeled anti-IgG. After the slide is washed, dried, and mounted, it is examined using fluorescence microscopy. Positive reactions appear as bright apple-green fluorescent elementary bodies with a background matrix of yolk sac. Semiquantitative endpoint titers are obtained by testing serial dilutions of positive specimens.(Schachter J. Chlamydiae [Psittacosis-Lymphogranuloma Venereum-Trachome Group]. In: Lennette E, Balows A, Hausler W, Shadomy H, eds. Manual of Clinical Microbiology. 4th ed. ASM Press; 1985: 856-861; Smith T. Chlamydia. In: Schmidt N, Emmons R, eds. Diagnostic procedures for viral, rickettsial and chlamydial infections. 6th ed. APHA; 1989: 1165-1198)

PDF Report
Indicates whether the report includes an additional document with charts, images or other enriched information

No

Day(s) Performed
Outlines the days the test is performed. This field reflects the day that the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means that assays are performed multiple times during the day.

Monday, Thursday

Report Available
The interval of time (receipt of sample at Mayo Clinic Laboratories to results available) taking into account standard setup days and weekends. The first day is the time that it typically takes for a result to be available. The last day is the time it might take, accounting for any necessary repeated testing.

Same day/1 to 4 days

Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded

14 days

Performing Laboratory Location
Indicates the location of the laboratory that performs the test

Rochester

Fees
Several factors determine the fee charged to perform a test. Contact your U.S. or International Regional Manager for information about establishing a fee schedule or to learn more about resources to optimize test selection.

  • Authorized users can sign in to Test Prices for detailed fee information.
  • Clients without access to Test Prices can contact Customer Service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Prospective clients should contact their account representative. For assistance, contact Customer Service.

Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR) product.

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
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Clinic Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.

CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.

86632 x 2

LOINC® Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the order and results codes of this test. LOINC values are provided by the performing laboratory.

Test Id Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
CHLM Chlamydia IgM, IFA, S 10849-8
Result Id Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
619390 C. pneumoniae IgM In Process
619391 C. psittaci IgM In Process

Test Setup Resources

Setup Files
Test setup information contains test file definition details to support order and result interfacing between Mayo Clinic Laboratories and your Laboratory Information System.

Excel | Pdf

Sample Reports
Normal and Abnormal sample reports are provided as references for report appearance.

Normal Reports | Abnormal Reports

SI Sample Reports
International System (SI) of Unit reports are provided for a limited number of tests. These reports are intended for international account use and are only available through MayoLINK accounts that have been defined to receive them.

SI Normal Reports | SI Abnormal Reports

Test Update Resources

Change Type Effective Date
New Test 2023-03-28