Serologic test for B. anthracis

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Blood test

Overview

Risks

Results

Serologic test for B. anthracis

Alternative Names:

Anthrax serology test; Antibody test for anthrax

Normal Values:

A normal result shows no antibodies present. During the first few days to weeks of exposure to an antigen, however, there may be slight antibody production. As the disease progresses, more antibodies will be present. If a disease is suspected, the test may need to be repeated 10 days - 2 weeks after the first test.

What abnormal results mean:

If antibodies are detected, there has been exposure to B. anthracis (possible anthrax). Some people are exposed and do not develop the disease. It is important to see an increase in the antibody titer (count) after a few weeks in order to diagnose a current (rather than a previous) infection. A titer is a measurement of the concentration of a certain substance (in this case, B. anthracis antibody) in a sample.

Treatment with antibiotics can sometimes reduce the antibody response, making titers lower than they would have been without treatment.

Review Date: 11/2/2005
Reviewed By: Kenneth Wener, M.D., Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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