Coxsackievirus B3 Antibody Test
This blood test checks for antibodies to Coxsackievirus B3, a common virus that can sometimes affect the heart. It helps your doctor determine whether a recent or past viral infection may be causing symptoms such as chest pain, fatigue, or an irregular heartbeat.
{"Coxsackievirus B3 is a virus that can cause heart inflammation (myocarditis)","This test looks for antibodies your body makes to fight the virus","It helps doctors determine if a heart condition may be caused by a viral infection","A positive result indicates past or current infection with this specific virus","The test is performed on blood serum or other body fluids"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 45290-4
- Short code
- CXB3
- Synonyms
- CV B3 Ab Fld Ql
- Category
- cardiac
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Serum separator tube (SST) or red top vacuum tube
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 8
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 0–120 years
- Method
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
- CPT
- 86622
- SNOMED
- 371949004
- Specimen volume
- 1.0 mL serum minimum
- Stability
- Room temperature: 24 hours; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 72 hours; Frozen (-20°C or below): 30 days
- Hemolysis max
- 50
- Lipemia max
- 300
- Icterus max
- 20
- TAT
- 48–96 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
The Coxsackievirus B3 antibody test is a laboratory test that detects whether your body has produced antibodies against Coxsackievirus B3, a specific type of enterovirus. This virus is part of a group of viruses that commonly infect the gastrointestinal tract but can spread to other parts of the body, including the heart. The test is performed on samples of serum (blood) or other body fluids to help determine if a viral infection may be related to heart symptoms.
Why might I need this test?
Your doctor may order this test if you have symptoms of heart inflammation or infection, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, or flu-like symptoms that have persisted. It is particularly useful when the doctor suspects that a heart condition, such as myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) or pericarditis (inflammation of the heart's outer lining), may be caused by a viral infection rather than other causes.
How is the test performed?
A healthcare professional will collect a sample of your blood through a vein in your arm, or in some cases, collect other body fluids. The sample is then sent to a laboratory where technicians look for specific antibodies (IgM and IgG) that your immune system produces in response to Coxsackievirus B3 infection. IgM antibodies typically appear early in infection and indicate a recent or active infection, while IgG antibodies develop later and may indicate past exposure or immunity.
What do the results mean?
A positive result means that antibodies to Coxsackievirus B3 were detected in your sample, suggesting that you have been infected with this virus at some point. The type of antibody found (IgM vs. IgG) helps determine if the infection is recent or occurred in the past. A negative result means no antibodies were detected, which could indicate no prior infection or that the infection is too recent for antibodies to be measurable. Your doctor will interpret these results in the context of your symptoms and other test findings.
Reference range
Negative: < 1:8 titer; Equivocal: 1:8 titer; Positive: > 1:8 titerN/A
No special preparation required. Fasting is not necessary for this test.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Coxsackievirus B3 is one of the most common viral causes of myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle that can lead to chest pain, heart failure, and in severe cases, sudden death. This test helps cardiologists identify whether a patient's heart condition may be linked to a viral infection, which can guide treatment decisions. Identifying a viral cause may affect how the condition is managed, as viral myocarditis often requires different approaches than other types of heart inflammation. The test can also help in distinguishing between infectious and non-infectious causes of heart symptoms, and may be used in outbreak investigations or epidemiological studies of viral heart disease.
Frequently asked questions
Is this test painful?
How long does it take to get results?
Do I need to fast before this test?
Can this test tell if I have active myocarditis?
Is Coxsackievirus B3 the same as COVID-19?
Sources
- 1
- 2
- 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 10, 2026. · Read our editorial policy