Chlamydia Antibody Screening Test (Serum/Plasma)
This test detects antibodies in your blood that may indicate past or potential exposure to *Chlamydia trachomatis*, a common bacterial infection often spread through sexual contact.
["Helps identify if you’ve been exposed to chlamydia, even if you don’t have symptoms."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 31292-6
- Short code
- CHLCSFAB
- Synonyms
- Chlamydia Ab CSF-aCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- csf
- Container
- Sterile CSF collection tube (polypropylene)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) / Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA)
- CPT
- 86631
- SNOMED
- 313530008
- Specimen volume
- 1-2 mL of cerebrospinal fluid
- Stability
- Stable at 2-8°C for 7 days; frozen at -20°C or below for longer storage. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
- Hemolysis max
- 200
- TAT
- 48–168 hours
- Order
- routine
Why This Test Matters
Chlamydia is one of the most frequently reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the U.S. and can cause serious health issues if untreated, such as pelvic inflammatory disease in women or infertility in both sexes. Early detection through antibody screening helps guide treatment and prevent complications.
How the Test Works
This test uses an immunoassay (IA) method to detect specific antibodies in your serum or plasma. Antibodies are proteins your immune system produces in response to infection. If you’ve been exposed to chlamydia, these antibodies may be present, even years later.
Sample Collection
A blood sample is drawn from a vein in your arm. The blood is then processed to separate serum or plasma for testing. No special preparation is needed, but fasting is not required.
What to Expect
You may feel slight discomfort or bruising at the injection site, but most people tolerate blood draws well. Results are typically available within 24–72 hours, depending on lab processing times.
Reference range
Negative: No antibodies detected. Positive: Antibodies to Chlamydia species detected at a titer suggesting exposure or infection.N/A
No fasting required. Inform physician of any current antibiotic therapy or recent immunizations prior to lumbar puncture.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Clinical Significance
Short name
Chlamydia Antibody Screen
Frequently asked questions
This screening test is not used to diagnose an active chlamydia infection but rather to identify potential exposure. If antibodies are detected, further testing (such as nucleic acid amplification tests, or NAATs) may be recommended to confirm current infection status. Antibody tests can also be useful for monitoring past exposure or assessing immune response in certain clinical scenarios.
What does a positive result mean?
Can I get chlamydia from a previous positive antibody test?
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 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy