Amoebic Serology

This test is referred to another lab outside our network
This does not affect where samples are sent and where your results are issued.
Description: 
Sample sent to Hospital for Tropical Diseases (PHE National Parasitology Reference Unit) referral laboratory for amoebic serology testing.
Clinical details: 
Entamoeba histolytica is parasite that causes amoebiasis (amoebic dysentery). Symptoms, if present, may include prolonged or bloody diarrhoea, mucus in the stool, abdominal pain, nausea, headaches and fever. Transmission is by faecally contaminated food/water and by contact with infected people. Recent travel to a tropical region is a risk factor for amoebic infection. Dissemination to the liver can result in liver abscesses (amoebic liver abscess). Amoebic serology has a high sensitivity for diagnosing liver abscess but is less sensitive in amoebic dysentery.
Related condition or disease: 
Intestinal parasite, diarrhoea, amoebic liver abscess, dysentery, amoeboma
Synonyms or keywords: 
ALA, IFAT
Department: 
Infection Sciences Department
Location: 
St Thomas' Hospital
Sample type and Volume required: 
2.5 – 5ml Yellow Top Serum Separation Tube (SST) Clotted Blood (for serum).
Turnaround time: 
7 working days
Criteria for acceptance / rejections of sample
Storage and transport: 
Place labelled sample in a sealed sample bag and send to Central Specimen Reception (CSR). To prevent sample haemolysis please store samples in refrigerator if a delay in sending samples to CSR is unavoidable.
Contacts:
Infection Sciences Department at St Thomas' Hospital
020 7188 8008
St Thomas' Hospital
North Wing - 5th Floor
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EH
Core opening hours: Monday-Friday 0900-1730


For clinical advice or interpretation of results, please contact the laboratory in the first instance.
Laboratory: 
Virology Laboratory at St Thomas'

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Last updated: 04/12/2017