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Chikungunya IgM Rapid antibody
Bacterial/ Viral
Report in 12Hrs
At Home
No Fasting Required
Details
Detects IgM antibodies specific to the Chikungunya virus
₹409₹825
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Chikungunya IgM Rapid Antibody Test - Comprehensive Guide
- Why is it done?
- Test Measures: Detects IgM antibodies produced by the immune system in response to acute Chikungunya virus infection
- Primary Indications: Diagnosis of acute or recent Chikungunya virus infection in symptomatic patients
- Clinical Presentation Assessment: Evaluation of fever, severe joint pain (arthralgia), muscle pain (myalgia), rash, and headache
- Epidemiological Settings: Patients in endemic regions or with recent travel history to Chikungunya-affected areas
- Typical Timing: Performed during acute phase (3-10 days after symptom onset) when IgM antibodies are most detectable
- Public Health Surveillance: Used for disease surveillance and outbreak investigation in affected regions
- Normal Range
- Reference Values: Negative or Non-Reactive (typically <0.9 or <1.0 optical density units, depending on assay)
- Units of Measurement: Qualitative result (Positive/Negative) or Quantitative (Optical Density [OD] units, Index value)
- Negative Result: Indicates absence of IgM antibodies; no current or recent Chikungunya infection detected
- Positive Result: Indicates presence of IgM antibodies; suggests recent or acute Chikungunya virus infection
- Borderline/Equivocal: Results near the cutoff value; may require confirmation testing or clinical correlation
- Interpretation Framework: Abnormal (positive) values indicate acute phase infection; normal (negative) values exclude current infection
- Interpretation
- Positive IgM Result: Indicates acute Chikungunya infection; patient is in viremic phase; typically appears 3-7 days after symptom onset and persists for 2-3 months
- Negative IgM Result: May indicate no Chikungunya infection, past infection (>3 months), or very early infection (<3 days); if clinical suspicion remains high, repeat testing may be warranted
- Sensitivity & Specificity Factors: Rapid IgM tests typically have 80-95% sensitivity and 90-98% specificity; sensitivity is highest during acute phase
- Timing Impact on Results: IgM levels rise during acute infection and gradually decline; peak detection occurs 1-2 weeks after symptom onset
- Cross-Reactivity Concerns: May have cross-reactivity with other alphaviruses (Dengue, Ross River virus); clinical context and confirmation tests aid interpretation
- Clinical Correlation Essential: Results should be interpreted alongside clinical symptoms (fever, severe joint pain), epidemiological data, and other laboratory findings
- High Viremia Levels: Indicates active viral replication; patient poses transmission risk if exposed to mosquito vectors
- Associated Organs & Conditions
- Primary Organ Systems Affected: Musculoskeletal system (joints, muscles), nervous system (brain, meninges), cardiovascular system, immune system
- Acute Chikungunya Fever: Characterized by sudden fever (102-104°F), debilitating arthralgias, myalgias, rash, and headache
- Post-Chikungunya Chronic Arthralgia: Joint pain persisting for weeks to years after acute infection; affects hands, wrists, ankles, feet
- Neurological Complications: Meningoencephalitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, myelitis, and peripheral neuropathy (rare but serious)
- Cardiovascular Manifestations: Myocarditis, pericarditis, and hypotension in severe cases; pregnant women at risk for vertical transmission
- Ocular Complications: Anterior uveitis, retinitis, and chorioretinitis; vision disturbances may persist
- Renal & Hepatic Impact: Elevated liver enzymes and thrombocytopenia reported; acute kidney injury possible in severe cases
- High-Risk Populations: Elderly patients (>65 years), immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, and neonates at increased risk for severe disease
- Follow-up Tests
- Chikungunya IgG Antibody Test: Detects chronic/past infection; appears after IgM; used for confirmation and epidemiological surveys
- Viral RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction): Gold standard for confirming active infection; detects viral RNA during acute phase (first 5 days of illness)
- Dengue and Other Arbovirus Serology: Consider if dengue co-infection suspected; performed to differentiate from other mosquito-borne viral infections in endemic areas
- Complete Blood Count (CBC): Assesses for leukopenia and thrombocytopenia; baseline and monitoring for disease progression
- Liver Function Tests (LFTs): Monitor for elevated transaminases (ALT, AST); assess hepatic involvement
- Renal Function Tests: Evaluate creatinine and BUN; screen for acute kidney injury in severe cases
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP) & Procalcitonin: Markers of inflammation; help differentiate from bacterial infections
- Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Analysis: If meningoencephalitis or neurological complications suspected; includes cell count, protein, glucose, and CSF PCR for viral confirmation
- Imaging Studies: MRI or CT brain/spine if neurological symptoms present; ultrasound or X-ray for joint complications
- Repeat Testing Schedule: If initial IgM negative but clinical suspicion high: repeat 3-5 days later; chronic arthralgia patients monitored clinically without routine repeat serology
- Fasting Required?
- Fasting Requirement: NO - Fasting is not required for Chikungunya IgM rapid antibody test
- Specimen Collection: Blood sample (serum or plasma) can be collected at any time of day without dietary restrictions
- Special Preparation Instructions: Minimal preparation needed; patient should report symptoms timeline to healthcare provider
- Medication Restrictions: No medications need to be stopped; test not affected by current medications
- Sample Handling: Rapid tests provide results in 10-30 minutes; samples should be collected in standard blood collection tubes (SST or EDTA)
- Timing of Test: Optimal timing is 3-10 days after symptom onset for highest sensitivity; earlier testing may yield false negatives
- Patient Information: Inform phlebotomist of travel history, symptom onset date, and recent fever episodes for proper test interpretation
How our test process works!
