Diphtheria Antitoxoid, Endpoint Determination

Diphtheria/Tetanus Antibody Panel, Serum

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB1232013, Beaker: Dipt Tetanus, Quest: 34042

Department

Send Outs

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 2.0 ml of serum into 2 separate plastic transport tubes and maintain at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) prior to transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 2.0 mL serum in each separate transport tube, at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F). (Minimum: 0.8 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Gross hemolysis, icterus, or lipemia
• 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 2.0 ml of serum into 2 separate plastic transport tubes and maintain at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) prior to transport.

Transport: 2.0 mL serum in each separate transport tube, room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F). (Minimum: 0.8 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 7 days
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

Information not available.

Reference Range

Diphtheria Antitoxoid	≥0.10 IU/mL
Tetanus Antitoxoid	≥0.10 IU/mL

Test Methodology

Immunoassay (IA)

Clinical Utility

Diphtheria and Tetanus Antitoxoids – Used to evaluate diphtheria immunization response. Antibody levels of ≥0.10 IU/mL are considered protective.

Tetanus is caused by Clostridium tetani. Immunization with Tetanus Antitoxoid is effective with boosters in immunocompetent individuals. Antibody levels of ≥0.10 IU/mL are considered protective. However, tetanus can still occur in some individuals with such antibody levels. These results should not be used to determine the necessity to administer antitoxin when clinically indicated.

CPT Codes

86648, 86774
LOINC:  45166-6, 33469-8, 48654-8, 53935-3

Contacts

Last Updated

12/19/2025