Echovirus and Coxsackievirus IgA Antibody Test
This blood test detects IgA antibodies against echovirus and coxsackievirus, two enteroviruses that can cause viral infections, including heart infections such as myocarditis. Because IgA antibodies appear early during infection, this test helps your healthcare provider identify a recent or active enterovirus infection that may be related to your symptoms.
{"The test uses a blood sample to check for IgA antibodies against echovirus and coxsackievirus","IgA antibodies typically appear early in viral infections and indicate a recent or active infection","Positive results may suggest a recent viral infection affecting the heart (myocarditis) or other organs","The test is commonly used when patients have symptoms of heart inflammation, such as chest pain or fatigue","Results should be interpreted by your healthcare provider along with your symptoms and other test results"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 29645-9
- Short code
- ECHO-COX IGA
- Synonyms
- ECV+CV IgA Ser Ql IA
- Category
- cardiac
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Serum separator tube (SST) or plain red top tube
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 1
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 0–120 years
- Method
- Immunoassay
- CPT
- 86658
- SNOMED
- 122442004
- Specimen volume
- 1.0 mL serum minimum
- Stability
- Room temperature: 24 hours; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 7 days; Frozen (-20°C or below): 30 days
- Hemolysis max
- 50
- Lipemia max
- 100
- Icterus max
- 20
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
The Echovirus and Coxsackievirus IgA Antibody test is a blood test that detects the presence of IgA antibodies against echovirus and coxsackievirus. These viruses belong to the enterovirus family and are common causes of viral infections. IgA antibodies are the first antibodies produced by your immune system in response to a viral infection, making this test useful for detecting recent or active infections.
Why is it ordered?
This test is primarily ordered when patients have symptoms suggesting a heart infection (myocarditis) or other viral illnesses. Symptoms may include chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, fever, flu-like symptoms, or abnormal heart rhythms. Since echoviruses and coxsackieviruses are known to cause myocarditis, this test helps healthcare providers determine if these specific viruses might be responsible for your symptoms.
How is the test performed?
A healthcare professional will draw a small blood sample from a vein in your arm. The blood sample is then sent to a laboratory where it is tested using immunoassay techniques to detect the presence of IgA antibodies against echovirus and coxsackievirus. The test results are typically reported as 'positive' or 'negative' for the presence of these antibodies.
What do the results mean?
A positive result indicates that IgA antibodies against echovirus and/or coxsackievirus were detected in your blood. This suggests a recent or ongoing infection with one of these viruses. A negative result means no IgA antibodies were detected, which could indicate no recent infection, that the infection occurred too early for antibodies to develop, or that a different virus is causing your symptoms. Your healthcare provider will interpret these results in combination with your clinical symptoms, physical examination, and other test results.
Reference range
Negative: < 1.0 (Ratio); Positive: >= 1.0 (Ratio); Equivocal: 0.8-0.99 (Ratio)N/A
No special preparation required. This test does not require fasting.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
This test is clinically significant for diagnosing viral myocarditis, a condition where the heart muscle becomes inflamed due to viral infection. Echoviruses and coxsackieviruses are among the most common viral causes of myocarditis. Detection of IgA antibodies helps confirm recent infection with these viruses, supporting the diagnosis of viral myocarditis. Early diagnosis is important for proper management and to prevent complications such as chronic heart damage or heart failure. This test may also be useful in investigating outbreaks of viral illness and in differentiating viral from bacterial causes of heart symptoms.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast before this test?
How long does it take to get results?
Can this test tell me if I have heart damage?
What happens if my test is positive?
Can I get this infection again?
Sources
- 1
- 2CDC - Enterovirus D68Source
- 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