ANTIBODY LIST

Patients: If you have been diagnosed in the past 2-3 weeks with one of the infectious diseases, or if you have ever been diagnosed with one of the autoimmune diseases, or if you carry one of the rare, polyclonal blood antibodies we look for, please give us a call immediately.

Healthcare providers: If you see patients who are diagnosed with any of the following diseases, please call us to see how you can further help healthcare.

Chagas Disease is a tropical infectious disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. It is transmitted by the bite of one of several species of blood-sucking insects or by blood transfusion. The heart and digestive systems are most frequently involved in this phase of the disease. The most common features of late chronic Chagas Disease include abnormal enlargement of the esophagus (megaesophagus) and colon (megacolon), and congestive heart failure. Chagas Disease occurs primarily in Central and South America.

Chickenpox is a common illness that causes an itchy rash and red spots or blisters (pox) all over the body. Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It can spread easily. You can get it from an infected person who sneezes, coughs, or shares food or drinks. You can also get it if you touch the fluid from a chickenpox blister. A person who has chickenpox can spread the virus even before he or she has any symptoms. Chickenpox is most easily spread from 2 to 3 days before the rash appears until all the blisters have crusted over. You are at risk for chickenpox if you have never had the illness and have not had the chickenpox vaccine. If someone you live with gets chickenpox, your risk is even higher because of the close contact.

A disease also called coccidioidomycosis (CM) due to a fungus called Coccidioides immitis. About 40% of people infected with this fungus develop symptoms. Most often they have an influenza-like illness with fever, cough, headaches, rash, and myalgias (muscle pains). Of those people with symptoms, 8% have severe lung disease requiring hospitalization and 7% develop disseminated infection (throughout the body).

Cytomegalovirus infection (CMV) is a viral infection that rarely causes obvious illness. The virus that causes CMV is part of the herpes virus family and, like other herpes viruses, may become dormant for a period of time and then be reactivated. CMV spreads from one person to another in saliva (spit), semen, vaginal secretions, blood, urine, and breast milk. You can get CMV when you touch these fluids with your hands, then touch your nose or mouth. People can also get CMV through sexual contact, breastfeeding, blood transfusions, and organ transplants. Usually, there are no symptoms or only mild symptoms. A few people will have symptoms that are similar to mononucleosis (such as a sore throat, fever, headache and tiredness).

Dengue Fever is an acute viral infection characterized by fever. It is caused by a bite from mosquitoes carrying dengue virus. The primary form of Dengue Fever is characterized by a skin rash and a high fever with severe pain in the head and muscles. Other symptoms may include shaking chills, diarrhea, and vomiting. Bouts of extreme exhaustion may last for months after the initial symptoms.

Epstein-Barr virus, frequently referred to as EBV, is a member of the herpes virus family and one of the most common human viruses. It is the virus which causes Mononucleosis. The virus lives in a person's salivary glands and can be spread through saliva, such as by kissing or sharing drinking glasses or eating utensils. The main symptoms of EBV are extreme fatigue, fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes.

Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis A virus. The virus is found in the stool of an infected person. It is spread when a person eats food or drinks water that has come in contact with infected stool. Some common symptoms of Hepatitis A are fatigue, sick to stomach, loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal pain, fever, jaundice, and sore muscles. Hepatitis A does not lead to long-term liver problems.

Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Infection with this virus can cause scarring of the liver, liver failure, liver cancer and even death. Hepatitis B is spread by infected blood and other bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal secretions, saliva, open sores, and breast milk. Some common symptoms of Hepatitis B are jaundice, light colored stool, tea-colored urine, prolonged fatigue, abdominal pain, vomiting, and loss of appetite. If you are infected with hepatitis B for more than 6 months, you are considered a carrier, even if you have no symptoms. This means that you can transmit the disease to others by having unprotected sex, deep kissing or sharing food or drinks. Being a carrier also means that your liver may be more prone to injury.

Hepatitis D is a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis D virus. Like hepatitis B, hepatitis D is also spread through blood. In order to develop hepatitis D, you either have to suffer from hepatitis B or get infected with hepatitis B at the same time. This happens because hepatitis D needs the hepatitis B virus in order to replicate.

Hepatitis E is a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV) that usually results in an acute infection. It does not lead to a chronic infection. While rare in the United States, hepatitis E is common in many parts of the world. It is transmitted by ingestion of fecal matter, even in microscopic amounts; outbreaks are usually associated with contaminated water supply in countries with poor sanitation.

Histoplasmosis is a disease caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. Its symptoms vary greatly, but the disease primarily affects the lungs. Occasionally, other organs are affected. Histoplasma grows in soil and material contaminated with bat or bird droppings. Spores become airborne when contaminated soil is disturbed. Breathing the spores causes infection. The disease is not transmitted from an infected person to someone else. Most infected persons have no apparent ill effects. The acute respiratory disease is characterized by respiratory symptoms, a general ill feeling, fever, chest pains, and a dry or nonproductive cough.

When a person becomes infected with HIV, it damages the immune system. A "deficient" immune system is unable to protect a person -- a problem called immunodeficiency. The immune system can no longer fight off the many germs and pathogens that a person normally encounters, so a person infected with HIV becomes ill from diseases that don't usually affect someone without HIV. HIV lives in human blood and sexual fluids (semen and vaginal secretions). The infection is spread from person to person when these body fluids are shared, usually during vaginal or anal sexual contact or when sharing IV drugs. HIV does not live in saliva, tears, urine, or perspiration -- so HIV cannot be spread by casual contact with these body fluids. It can be spread through oral sex, though the risk is small. HIV-2 is rarely found outside Africa and parts of Asia, so there is no need to test for it specifically -- unless a person has had contact with someone from an area of the world where HIV-2 is common.

Herpes simplex viruses -- more commonly known as herpes -- are categorized into two types: herpes type 1 (HSV-1, or oral herpes) and herpes type 2 (HSV-2, or genital herpes). Most commonly, herpes type 1 causes sores around the mouth and lips (sometimes called fever blisters or cold sores). HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, but most cases of genital herpes are caused by herpes type 2. In HSV-2, the infected person may have sores around the genitals or rectum. Although HSV-2 sores may occur in other locations, these sores usually are found below the waist. Herpes simplex type 1, which is transmitted through oral secretions or sores on the skin, can be spread through kissing or sharing objects such as toothbrushes or eating utensils. In general, a person can only get herpes type 2 infection during sexual contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2 infection. It is important to know that both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be spread even if sores are not present.

Lyme disease is an infection that is spread by ticks. You can get Lyme disease if you are bitten by an infected tick. But most people who have had a tick bite do not get Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by bacteria. Infected ticks spread the bacteria by biting people or animals. One sign of Lyme disease is a round, red rash (Bull’s Eye Rash) that spreads at the site of a tick bite. This rash can get very large. Flu-like symptoms are also very common. People in the early stages of Lyme disease may feel very tired and have headaches, sore muscles and joints, and a fever.

Measles is a very contagious infection that causes a rash all over your body. It is also called rubeola or red measles. It is very rare in the United States because most children get the vaccine as part of their regular childhood shots. Measles is caused by a virus. It is spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or shares food or drinks. The measles virus can travel through the air. This means that you can get measles if you are near someone who has the virus even if that person doesn't cough or sneeze directly on you. You can spread the virus to others from 4 days before the rash starts until 4 days after the rash appeared. The virus is most often spread when people first get sick-before they know they have it. The first symptoms of measles are like a bad cold-a high fever, a runny nose, sneezing, a sore throat, and a hacking cough. The lymph nodes in your neck may swell. You also may feel very tired and have diarrhea and red, sore eyes. As these symptoms start to go away, you will get red spots inside your mouth, followed by a rash all over your body.

Mononucleosis, also called "mono," is a common viral illness that can leave you feeling tired and weak for weeks or months. Mono goes away on its own, but lots of rest and good self-care can help you feel better. Mononucleosis is caused by the Epstein Barr Virus. It is most often seen in adolescents and young adults. Children can get the virus, but it often goes unnoticed because their symptoms are mild. Adults usually do not get mono, because they have immunity to the virus. Symptoms of infectious mononucleosis are fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands. Sometimes, a swollen spleen or liver involvement may develop. Mono can be spread through contact with saliva, mucus from the nose and throat, and sometimes tears. Because the virus can be spread through kissing, it has earned the nickname the "kissing disease.

Mumps is a contagious viral infection that can cause painful swelling of the salivary glands, especially the parotid glands, between the ear and the jaw. Mumps is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes near you, or shares food or drinks. Mumps can affect many body systems and cause flu-like symptoms, abdominal pain, swollen cheeks, and swollen and painful testicles. In most cases, people recover from mumps with rest and care at home. In complicated cases, hospitalization may be required.

Mycoplasma infection (Walking Pneumonia) is respiratory illness caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a microscopic organism related to bacteria. Mycoplasma infection is most common in late summer and fall. Mycoplasma is spread through contact with droplets from the nose and throat of infected people especially when they cough and sneeze. Transmission is thought to require prolonged close contact with an infected person. Spread in families, schools and institutions occurs slowly. The contagious period is probably fewer than 10 days and occasionally longer. Typical symptoms include fever, cough, bronchitis, sore throat, headache and tiredness

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is an infectious disease that belongs to a group of diseases known as the spotted fever group rickettsioses. It is caused by infection with the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii (R. rickettsii), which is usually transmitted by a tick bite. When introduced into the body, the bacterium spreads by the bloodstream or lymphatic vessels. Early symptoms may include a high fever, severe headaches, muscle pain (myalgia), nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite (anorexia), abdominal pain, and/or features. In addition, in most individuals with RMSF, a distinctive rash develops about three to five days after fever onset.

Rubella, also called German measles or 3-day measles, is a disease caused by the rubella virus. Rubella is generally a mild illness that does not result in long-term problems. An infected person can spread these droplets by coughing, sneezing, talking, or sharing food and drinks. You can become infected by touching a surface contaminated with the droplets and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth before washing your hands. Less commonly, you can get the virus through contact with infected blood if it gets on broken skin or on your hands and you don't wash them right away. Symptoms of rubella include a mild fever, swollen glands (especially behind the ear and at the back of the head), and a skin rash that starts on the face and spreads to the neck, the chest, and the rest of the body.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or sexually transmitted infection (STI) that, when left untreated, can progress to a late stage that causes serious health problems. The infection alternates with periods of being active and inactive (latent). When the infection is active, symptoms occur. But when the infection is latent, no symptoms appear even though you still have syphilis. Symptoms of syphilis may not be noticed or may mimic those of many other diseases. Some of these symptoms are: a painless open soar called a chancre develops on the genital area, anus, or mouth, and a skin rash.

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. You can get the infection by: Eating infected meat that hasn't been fully cooked or frozen, changing an infected cat’s litter box. Cats infected with the parasite pass it on to others through their feces, digging or gardening in sand or soil where an infected cat has left feces, or eating anything that has touched infected cat feces, including fruits and vegetables that haven't been washed. You can also get the infection by eating food that has touched tables and counters your cat has walked on. Some symptoms are flu-like: swollen lymph nodes, and muscles aches and pains that last for awhile. In some cases a person’s eye site is affected by the disease.

West Nile virus causes an infection that is spread by certain kinds of mosquitoes. About 80 out of 100 people who have West Nile have no symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they begin 3 to 14 days after the mosquito bite. Mild symptoms include: fever, headaches, body aches, pain in the eyes, a rash usually on the chest, back and arms, fatigue, loss of appetite, sick to stomach, and some swollen glands. Anyone who is bitten by an infected mosquito may get West Nile. Most of the time, people fully recover from it. But permanent problems such as seizures, memory loss, and brain damage can occur, especially in children and older people.