The University of Iowa (UIHC)
Department of Pathology
LABORATORY SERVICES HANDBOOK


Diphtheria Antibody, Pre/Post Immunization
Order Code: DIPTH
Order Form: A-1a Miscellaneous Request or IPR Req
  Commercial "Mail-out" Laboratory
6240 RCP
356-3527
Specimen
Serum
Collection Medium:
Red top tube
Minimum:
Preferred minimum: 1.0 ml serum
Adult minimum:     0.5 ml serum
Pediatric minimum: 0.15 ml serum
Analytic Time:
1 week
Reference Range:
Antibody concentration of > 0.1 IU/mL is usually considered positive.

Responder status is determined according to the ratio of a one-month, 
post-vaccination sample to pre-vaccination concentration of Diphtheria 
IgG Abs as follows:
1.  If the post-vaccination concentration is less than 1.0 IU/mL, the 
patient is considered a nonresponder.
2.  If the post-vaccination concentration is greater than or equal to 
1.0 IU/mL, a patient with a ratio of less than 1.5 is a nonresponder, a 
ratio of 1.5 to less than 3.0, is a weak responder, and a ratio of 3.0 
or greater, is a good responder.
3.  IF the pre-vaccination concentraiton is greaer than 1.0 IU/mL, it 
may be difficult to assess the response based on a ratio alone.  A 
post-vaccination concentration above 2.5 IU in this case is usually 
adequate.
Comments:
Include patient immunization status on requisition.
Pre (DIPPRE) and post (DIPPST) specimens submitted.  Post sample should 
be drawn 30 days after immunization and must be received within 60 days 
of pre sample.
Methodology:
Multi-Analyte Fluorescent Detection
CPT Code:
86317

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Updated: 10/11/2007

Note: The information contained in this handbook is for use by personnel of University of Iowa Health Care. No other use is implied or intended.