Q Fever (Coxiella burnetti) Antibodies, (IgG, IgM), with Reflex to Titers

Q-Fever Antibody IgG, Coxiella Burnetii, Coxiella burnetti Antibodies, IgG and IgM, Serum

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB1231767, Beaker: Q Fever Ab, Quest: 37071

Department

Send Outs

Instructions

Includes:

• If Q Fever IgG Phase I is Positive, then Q Fever IgG Phase I Titer will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 86638).
• If Q Fever IgG Phase II is Positive, then Q Fever IgG Phase II Titer will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 86638).
  
• If Q Fever IgM Phase I is Positive, then Q Fever IgM Phase I Titer will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 86638).
  
• If Q Fever IgM Phase II is Positive, then Q Fever IgM Phase II Titer will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 86638).

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect (preferred specimen): One Gold-top SST tube.

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 refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 1.0 mL serum, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°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 refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Transport: 1.0 mL serum, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.2 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): Unacceptable
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 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

Information not provided.

Reference Range

Screen	Titer
Q Fever IgG Phase I	Negative	<1:16
Q Fever IgG Phase II	Negative	<1:16
Q Fever IgM Phase I	Negative	<1:16
Q Fever IgM Phase II	Negative	<1:16

Test Methodology

Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA)

Interpretation

By report.

Clinical Utility

Q Fever (Coxiella burnetii) Antibodies (IgG, IgM), with Reflex to Titers – Caused by infection with rickettsia agent, Coxiella burnetii, Q Fever is characterized by fever with interstitial pneumonitis. Sixty percent of infected individuals are asymptomatic while other infected individuals may die from complications.

CPT Codes

86638 x4

Contacts

Last Updated

12/17/2025