IgG Anti-Equine Herpesvirus 1/4 Antibody (Serum)
This test measures your body’s immune response to Equine Herpesvirus 1 or 4, which can cause serious infections in horses. It’s often used in veterinary medicine but may be relevant if you’ve had exposure to horses or are monitoring a condition linked to these viruses.
["Helps assess immunity to equine herpesvirus infections in horses or related clinical evaluations."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 43438-1
- Short code
- BART
- Synonyms
- B henselae+quintana IgG+IgM Pnl Ser
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Serum separator tube (SST) or red-top vacuum tube without anticoagulant. Avoid hemolyzed, lipemic, or contaminated specimens.
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 64
- Ref high
- 1
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 0–120 years
- Method
- Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) or Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) for detection of IgG and IgM antibodies against Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana
- CPT
- 86611
- SNOMED
- 395235004
- Specimen volume
- 1-2 mL of serum (minimum 0.5 mL). Collect whole blood in standard serum separator tube and centrifuge to obtain serum.
- Stability
- Serum stable for 7 days at 2-8°C. For extended storage, freeze at -20°C or colder for up to 30 days. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Specimens should not be stored at room temperature beyond 24 hours.
- Hemolysis max
- 100
- Lipemia max
- 100
- Icterus max
- 50
- TAT
- 48–168 hours
- Order
- routine
Why This Test Might Be Ordered
Your healthcare provider may recommend this test if you have a horse or are involved in equine care, or if symptoms like fever, neurological issues, or respiratory distress are suspected in a horse. It can also be part of routine monitoring for certain equine health conditions.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is needed. You’ll provide a blood sample, typically drawn from a vein in your arm. The sample is sent to a lab for analysis.
What the Test Results Mean
Positive results indicate the presence of antibodies against Equine Herpesvirus 1 or 4, suggesting past exposure or immunity. Negative results mean no detectable antibodies, which may indicate no prior exposure or an active infection requiring further evaluation.
Common Reasons for Testing
This test is primarily used in veterinary medicine to diagnose or monitor infections, assess immunity, or evaluate the effectiveness of treatments in horses. It’s not typically performed on humans unless in specialized clinical research or rare cases of zoonotic exposure.
Reference range
Bartonella henselae IgG: <1:64 Negative; 1:64-1:128 Equivocal; >1:128 Positive. Bartonella henselae IgM: <1:20 Negative; ≥1:20 Positive. Bartonella quintana IgG: <1:64 Negative; 1:64-1:128 Equivocal; >1:128 Positive. Bartonella quintana IgM: <1:20 Negative; ≥1:20 Positive. Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay manufacturer.N/A
No special patient preparation is required. Fasting is not necessary for serologic testing. Patient should provide relevant clinical history including recent cat or flea exposure, lymphadenopathy, fever of unknown origin, or suspected cat scratch disease, bacillary angiomatosis, or trench fever.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Equine herpesviruses can cause severe illness in horses, including neurological disorders, respiratory infections, or abortion in pregnant mares. Detecting antibodies helps veterinarians diagnose past infections, guide treatment, or prevent outbreaks in equine populations. Human exposure is uncommon but should be evaluated by a healthcare provider if symptoms occur.
Short name
Anti-EHV-1/4 IgG
Frequently asked questions
What does a positive result mean for me?
Can this test be used to diagnose an infection in humans?
How long does it take to get results?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 15, 2026. · Read our editorial policy