Coxsackie - IgM antibody, Serum

Bacterial/ Viral

Report in 216Hrs

At Home

No Fasting Required

Details

Detects antibodies to Coxsackie virus.

₹2,745₹3,922

30% OFF

Coxsackie - IgM Antibody Serum Test Guide

Why is it done?
- Detects IgM antibodies specific to Coxsackie viruses (A and B strains), which indicate acute or recent infection
- Confirms diagnosis of acute Coxsackie viral infection in symptomatic patients
- Aids in identifying Coxsackie virus as the causative agent in patients presenting with myocarditis, pericarditis, pleurodynia, or aseptic meningitis
- Performed when acute enteroviral infection is suspected, typically during the acute phase of illness (first 7-10 days of symptoms)
- Used to differentiate Coxsackie infection from other viral etiologies causing similar clinical presentations
- Useful in surveillance and epidemiological investigations during Coxsackie virus outbreaks
Normal Range
- Negative Result: Less than 1.0 unit/mL or reported as negative/not detected (exact values may vary by laboratory and test method used)
- Positive Result: Greater than 1.0 unit/mL or reported as positive/detected (indicates presence of IgM antibodies)
- Units of Measurement: unit/mL, or reported qualitatively as positive/negative depending on laboratory methodology (ELISA, immunofluorescence, or neutralization assays)
- Interpretation Guidelines: Normal/Negative indicates absence of recent or acute Coxsackie infection; Abnormal/Positive indicates acute or recent Coxsackie viral infection; Borderline results may require repeat testing or additional confirmatory testing
- Note: Reference ranges may vary between laboratories and testing methodologies; consult specific laboratory reference values for accurate interpretation
Interpretation
- Positive IgM Result: Indicates acute or recent Coxsackie viral infection (typically within past 2-3 weeks); IgM antibodies are produced as the primary immune response to initial viral exposure
- Negative IgM Result: Indicates absence of acute Coxsackie infection; suggests past immunity or uninfected status; does not exclude infection if tested too early (before antibody formation) or too late (after IgM clearance)
- Coxsackie A Strains: Positive results associated with herpangina, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, pleurodynia, and myocarditis
- Coxsackie B Strains: Positive results associated with myocarditis, pericarditis, aseptic meningitis, hepatitis, and pleurodynia
- Timing Considerations: IgM antibodies appear early in infection (days 1-7) and typically peak at 1-2 weeks; may persist for 2-3 months; early testing (<3 days) may yield false negatives
- Factors Affecting Results: Immunocompromised status may result in weak or delayed antibody response; cross-reactivity with other enteroviruses possible; previous vaccination or immunity may affect interpretation
- Clinical Correlation Essential: Results must be interpreted in context of clinical presentation, timing of symptom onset, and other diagnostic findings
Associated Organs
- Cardiovascular System: Coxsackie B viruses commonly cause myocarditis (heart muscle inflammation) and pericarditis (heart membrane inflammation); can lead to arrhythmias, cardiogenic shock, or sudden cardiac death in severe cases
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System: Causes aseptic meningitis, encephalitis, and paralysis; particularly Coxsackie B viruses associated with neurological complications
- Respiratory System: Causes pleurodynia (chest wall muscle inflammation resulting in severe chest pain), pleurisy, and respiratory symptoms
- Gastrointestinal System: Coxsackie B viruses can cause hepatitis, pancreatitis, and gastroenteritis
- Integumentary System: Coxsackie A viruses cause hand-foot-and-mouth disease and herpangina with characteristic vesicular rashes
- Endocrine System: Coxsackie B viruses associated with sudden-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus through pancreatic beta cell destruction
- Potential Complications: Chronic myocarditis with dilated cardiomyopathy, post-viral syndrome, chronic fatigue, neurological sequelae, and chronic enteroviral infection in immunocompromised patients
Follow-up Tests
- Coxsackie IgG Antibody Serum: Detects past infection and immunity; performed 2-3 weeks after IgM testing to confirm seroconversion
- Viral Culture and PCR: Isolates virus from clinical specimens (throat, rectal, or CSF swabs); PCR detects viral RNA; useful for species/strain identification and confirmation
- Cardiac Assessment: Electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography, and troponin testing if myocarditis/pericarditis suspected
- Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Analysis: Lumbar puncture with CSF culture, PCR, and serology if aseptic meningitis or encephalitis suspected
- Liver Function Tests: AST, ALT, bilirubin if hepatitis suspected
- Pancreatic Enzymes: Amylase and lipase if pancreatitis symptoms present
- Enterovirus Panel Testing: Comprehensive serology or PCR screening for multiple enterovirus types when specific diagnosis unclear
- Imaging Studies: Chest X-ray, cardiac MRI, or brain imaging (CT/MRI) depending on clinical presentation and organ involvement
- Repeat IgM Testing: If initial result negative but clinical suspicion high, repeat testing 3-5 days later (accounts for early in infection testing)
- Monitoring Frequency: For myocarditis/pericarditis: serial ECGs and echocardiograms over weeks to months; for neurological involvement: clinical reassessment and imaging as needed; for metabolic complications: long-term follow-up monitoring
Fasting Required?
- Fasting: No - Fasting is NOT required for Coxsackie IgM antibody serum testing
- Specimen Collection: Simple blood draw into serum separator tube (SST) or standard serum collection tube; no special preparation needed
- Timing of Collection: Optimal collection during acute phase of illness (days 1-10 after symptom onset when IgM antibodies are most likely to be detected); any time of day is acceptable
- Medications: No medications need to be avoided; all medications should be continued as prescribed
- Patient Preparation: No special preparation required; patient can eat and drink normally; wear comfortable clothing for venipuncture
- Specimen Storage: Allow blood to clot for 30 minutes at room temperature; centrifuge if immediate transport not possible; refrigerate serum and transport to laboratory per standard protocols; most labs prefer testing within 24 hours but can store at 2-8°C for several days
- Note: Always follow your healthcare provider's specific instructions and confirm with the laboratory regarding any special handling requirements

How our test process works!