Gold serum separator (SST) tube

Immediately following collection, thoroughly mix sample by gently inverting 5 times

1. Allow sample to clot for a minimum of 30 minutes
2. Centrifuge at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes
3. Transfer serum to a Screw-cap polypropylene frozen transport vial/tube - 4mL (LabCorp), labelled as serum
4. Freeze

Screw-cap polypropylene frozen transport vial/tube - 4mL (LabCorp)

Red serum vial/tube, 5 mL

Frozen (preferred) - 5 weeks

Refrigerated - 7 days

• Specimens with bacterial or fungal contamination
• Specimens outside of listed stability

Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

IgA: < 22.2 U/mL

IgG: < 28.3 U/mL

IgM: < 25.0 U/mL

Giardiasis is a diarrheal illness caused by Giardia lamblia. Once a person has been infected with Giardia, the parasite lives in the intestine and is passed in the stool. Giardia is found is soil, food, and water that have been contaminated with the feces of infected animals. Because the organism is protected by an outer shell, it can survive outside the body in the environment for long periods of time.

Because it is spread worldwide, it has become one of the most important causes of chronic diarrhea. Despite the fact that it is a luminal pathogen, it evokes both systemic and local immune responses. Studies have found that about 86% of infected individuals develop serum antibodies against Giardia lamblia, most notably IgG and IgA.