Sign in →

Test Code TTIGS Tetanus Toxoid IgG Antibody, Serum

Useful For

Assessing antibody response to the tetanus toxoid vaccine, which should be performed at least 3 weeks after immunization

 

Aiding in the evaluation of immunodeficiency

 

This test should not be used to diagnose tetanus infection.

Method Name

Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA)

Reporting Name

Tetanus Toxoid IgG Ab, S

Specimen Type

Serum


Specimen Required


Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.4 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 30 days
  Frozen  30 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis Reject
Gross lipemia Reject
Gross icterus Reject

Clinical Information

Tetanus results from contamination of wounds or lacerations with Clostridium tetani spores from the environment. The spores germinate to actively replicating bacterial cells localized within the wound and produce the heat-labile toxin tetanospasmin. Tetanospasmin attaches to peripheral nerve endings and travels to the central nervous system where it blocks inhibitory impulses to motor neurons and leads to severe, spastic muscle contractions, a classic characteristic of tetanus.

 

The disease is preventable by vaccination with tetanus toxoid (formaldehyde-treated tetanospasmin), which stimulates development of antitetanus toxoid antibodies. In the United States, tetanus toxoid is administered to children as part of the combined diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (TDaP) vaccine.

 

Two to 3 weeks following vaccination, a patient's immunological response may be assessed by measuring the total antitetanus toxoid IgG antibody level in serum. An absence of antibody formation postvaccination may relate to immune deficiency disorders, either congenital or acquired, or iatrogenic due to immunosuppressive drugs.

Reference Values

Vaccinated: Positive (≥0.01 IU/mL)

Unvaccinated: Negative (<0.01 IU/mL)

Interpretation

Results greater than or equal to 0.01 suggest a vaccine response.

 

A tetanus toxoid booster should be strongly considered for patients with anti-tetanus toxoid IgG values between 0.01 and 0.5 IU/mL.

 

Some cases of tetanus, usually mild, have occasionally been observed in patients with a measurable serum level of 0.01 to 1.0 IU/mL.

CPT Code Information

86317

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
TTIGS Tetanus Toxoid IgG Ab, S 53935-3

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
TETG Tetanus IgG Ab 26643-7
DEXTG Tetanus IgG Value 53935-3

Secondary ID

36667

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send Infectious Disease Serology Test Request (T916) with the specimen.