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Serologic test for B. anthracis - Risks

Alternative Names

Anthrax serology test; Antibody test for anthrax

What the risks are:

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:

Excessive bleeding
Fainting or feeling light-headed
Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

Special considerations:

A serology test can determine if a patient has ever been exposed to a particular antigen, but this does not necessarily indicate a current infection. A person who tests positive for B. anthracis may not develop anthrax.

The best test for anthrax is a culture of affected tissue or blood.

Blood test

Reviewed last on: 8/6/2007
D. Scott Smith, MD., MSc., DTM., Prof. Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Dept. of Human Biology, Stanford Univ. School of Medicine, Stanford, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

References

Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. London: Churchill Livingstone; 2005.

McPherson RA, Pincus MR. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2006; 741.

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