Ehrlichia chaffeensis (IgG, IgM)

HGE, Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis, HME, Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis, Ehrlichia Chaffeensis Antibodies, IgG and IgM

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB1231978, Beaker: Ehrlichia Ab, Quest: 34271

Department

Send Outs

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect (preferred specimen): One Gold-top SST tube. (Minimum: 5.0 mL)
Also acceptable: One plain Red-top tube.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then centrifuge to separate serum from cells within two hours of collection. Transfer serum to a plastic transport tube and maintain at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) prior to transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 1.0 mL serum, room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F). (Minimum: 0.2 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Hemolyzed specimens.
• Severely lipemic specimens.
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then centrifuge to separate serum from cells within two hours of collection. Transfer serum to a plastic transport tube and maintain at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) prior to transport.

Transport: 1.0 mL serum, room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F). (Minimum: 0.2 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 7 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 14 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 30 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Sent to Quest Diagnostics, Wood Dale, IL.

Performed

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday.
Results available in 3 days.

Reference Range

By report.

Test Methodology

Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA)

Clinical Utility

Ehrlichia chaffeensis (IgG, IgM) – Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (HME) is a tick-borne infection caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis. Infections range in severity from asymptomatic to life-threatening, especially in patients who are immunocompromised.

CPT Codes

34271

Contacts

Last Updated

11/19/2025