Preferred Specimen(s) 1 mL serum
Instructions Allow specimen to clot at room temperature and then centrifuge. Immediately separate from cells and refrigerate at 2-8°C.
Transport Container No additive (red-top) tube
Transport Temperature Refrigerated, stability 3 days
Reject Criteria Received frozen
Methodology CLIA
Clinical Significance Testing immediately post-exposure is of no value without a later convalescent specimen. While the presence of IgM antibodies suggests current or recent infection, low levels of IgM antibodies may occasionally persist for more than 12 months post-infection or immunization.