Tularemia blood test

A blood sample is needed . The sample is sent to a laboratory where it is examined for francisella antibodies using a method called serology. This method checks if your body has produced substances called antibodies to a specific foreign substance ( antigen ), in this case F tularensis . Antibodies are proteins that…

There is no special preparation.

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, you may feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or bruising. This soon goes away.

This blood test is done when tularemia is suspected.

A normal result is no antibodies specific for F tularensis are found in the serum. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or may test different specimens. Talk to your health care provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

If antibodies are detected, there has been exposure to F tularensis . If antibodies are found, it means you either have a current or past infection with F tularensis . In some cases, a single high level of antibodies that are specific to F tularensis means you have an infection. During the early stage of an illness,…

There is little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another, and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others. Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include: Excessive…

Aoyagi K, Ashihara Y, Kasahara Y. Immunoassays and immunochemistry. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods . 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 45. Auwaeter PG, Penn RL. Francisella tularensis (tularemia). In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds.…