Test Id : CHLM
Chlamydia IgM, Immunofluorescence, Serum
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.
Reporting Name
Lists a shorter or abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test
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
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.
Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location
Indicates the location of the laboratory that performs the test
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.
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 |