1
Download Pathology User Guide
Transcript
Pathology User Guide Bedford Hospital Trust Page 69 of 98 3. Serology requests The department offers a range of serological screening tests and a referral service for investigations not performed ‘in-house’. Serology tests can be used to diagnose infections by assessing the patient’s antibody response to a particular infective agent. IgM is the first to rise, and presence is indicative of a present or recently acquired infection. Some IgM tests are available but for other infections tests for IgG are used. The IgG antibody response will usually take 10-14 days to occur (but may sometimes be longer). If the duration of a patient’s illness is <10 days then an ‘acute’ serum sample should be collected at this time and a convalescent sample taken 10-14 days later. A serological diagnosis can be made when the following can be demonstrated: There is an increase in antibody titre from the acute to the convalescent serum samples (usually fourfold or greater). A stationary but high antibody titre in both samples. A fall in titre of antibodies can be regarded as evidence of recent infection. IgM is detected. The following details should be included with ALL serological requests: Date of onset of symptoms. Relevant clinical details including history of travel, contact dates and any other appropriate information including vaccination history. Risk factors The laboratory cannot process specimens or interpret the result without sufficient clinical information. Label all specimens and request forms with HIGH RISK stickers if patient known or suspected to be high risk. For investigation of Blood Borne Viruses a SIGNED request form is essential. TEST SAMPLE COMMENTS Amoebiasis/Hyatid/Schis tosomal 5ml clotted blood– red and yellow top Reference laboratory request – will only be sent if full travel history and risk factors are given ANTI –SPERM ANTIBODIES 5ml clotted blood – red and yellow top File Name: BED-USER-14 GSTS Pathology User Guide TURN-AROUND TIMES 2-3 weeks 3-4 weeks Version 4.2 Authorised: A. Strong
