Bartonella IgG Detect – IFA

The next generation of Lyme + Co-Infection Diagnostics—designed to detect at every stage


Exposure to infected fleas, tickes, spiders, and lice, or companion and wild animals can cause Bartonellosis. Bartonella henselae, the species responsible for Cat Scratch Disease can be present on a cat or kitten’s claw or mouth and spread through a scratch, bit, or lick.

Bartonella can cause severe, life-threatening infections or symptoms in humans and animals. Early detection makes the infection treatable, which can prevent chronic illness. Bartonella are intracellular parasites and can live and reproduce both inside and outside of host cells. Bartonella infections are stealthy and difficult to diagnose because the bacteria can invade and hide in host cells and create a niche where they can survive and multiply, and evade the immune system.

Discover the Power of MosaicDX’s Bartonella IgG Detect IFA profile

Bartonella IgG Detect – IFA utilizes authentic cell-cultured clinical isolates for Bartonella species that most commonly affect humans in North America: B. henselae, B. vinsonii, B. berkhoffii, B. koehlerae.

  • Confirms prior exposure and potential current infection: Antibody results reported in titers.
  • Broad IgG antibody coverage: Confirms exposure to the four main species affecting humans in North America.
  • Accurate: Provides precise, semi-quantitative antibody levels and accurate titers.
  • Minimizes cross-reactivity: Ensures reliable and specific results, addressing common challenges in serological testing.
  • Sensitive and Specific: Uses cell-culture-derived antigens from clinical isolates, not synthetic.
Serum
Turnaround Time: 2-3 weeks

Turnaround times are estimates. Detailed order tracking is available in the MosaicDX Portal.

For Non-Practitioners:

Need a practitioner for testing? Find A Practitioner

Methodology: Indirect Immunuofluorescence Assay (IFA)

Indirect Immunuofluorescence Assay (IFA):
Confirms antibodies against the four most common species of infection based on public research.

A laboratory technique used for detecting and visualizing specific antigens or antibodies in biological samples. It combines the principles of both immunology and fluorescence microscopy to provide highly specific and sensitive results.
When bacteria are present in the body, the immune system creates antibodies that help eliminate them. Test methods, such as IFA determine the level of IgG antibodies circulating in a patient, which can be useful for the diagnosis of Bartonellosis (Bartonella spp infection), “or” for monitoring treatment response.
Bartonella IgG Detect – IFA utilizes authentic cell-cultured clinical isolates for Bartonella species that most commonly affect humans in North America:

  • B. henselae
  • B. vinsonii
  • B. berkhoffii
  • B. koehlerae

Serum samples are serially diluted in a sample buffer, and the test results are reported as titers.

What patients might benefit from the Bartonella IgG Detect – IFA profile?

Patients with chronic illness not improving and past/present exposure to ticks, fleas, lice, spiders, or companion animals.

  • Rash "striae"
  • Swollen lymph nodes in the head, neck, arms, and along the shins
  • Psychiatric symptoms (rage)
  • Neurological manifestations
  • Flu-like illness
  • Low grade fever
  • Profound fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Muscle pain
  • Body aches
  • Abdominal pain
  • Changes in bowel habits
  • Eye and vision problems (such as floaters, light sensitivity, and blurry vision)
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Facial pain and tooth issues
  • Bladder and pelvic pain
  • Cardiovascular issues (endocarditis)
  • Seizures

Details

MosaicDX offers nine (9) individual tests and combinations of the most common Lyme and co-infections in North America, with options designed to meet every practitioner’s need.

Combinations and Complementary Test Recommendations

Ticks, fleas and other vectors can transmit multiple infections—not just Bartonella. To help prioritize treatment, providers should consider additional Lyme and Co-infection tests to identify which pathogens are currently present.

Logo
Lyme Borrelia Direct Detect
Bartonella IgG Detect – IFA
Tickborne BBB Direct Detect
(1 or 3 day)

Methodology
Nanotrap®
Direct
Immuno-fluorescence (IFA)
Indirect
Digital PCR (dPCR)
Direct

Sample Type

Urine
Urine

Serum
Serum (yellow top)

Blood
Blood (lavender top)

INDIVIDUAL PROFILES

COMBINATION PROFILES

Analytes

Bartonella henselae
Bartonella koehlerae
Bartonella quintana
Bartonella vinsonii berkhoffii

Frequently Asked Questions

Mild (1+) to moderate proteinuria (2+) is not a problem, but large amounts of protein (3+) interfere with the Nanotrap assay. 

  1. Visit AnyLabTest Now to find a location near you.
    1. Schedule an appointment online, call for assistance, or just show up for your lab test — no appointment necessary.
    2. Bring the following to your appointment:
      1. Payment for specimen collection and processing fee.
      2. Test collection kit
      3. Included gel pack (freeze ahead of time)
      4. Collection instructions
      5. Test Requisition Form with doctor’s signature
      6. UPS return bag (included in the test kit)
  2. Alpha Phlebotomy Group offers three options
    1. In Home Collections – where the phlebotomist comes to you. Fees include per collection rates and mileage.
    2. Collection Draw Site Locations – where APG provides you with a location that is familiar with MosaicDX orders. Prices for collections vary by phlebotomist.
    3. Mobile Event Collections for Groups – Have a group of 20 blood collections? Create a blood draw corporate or wellness event. Events require a minimum of 6 draws per hour otherwise additional hourly fees may apply along with specific pricing per participant.
  3. Los Angeles and Orange County Areas: Contact Mobile Phlebotomy Service
    1. They will complete the blood draw directly from your home. Call 909-985-5562 to make an appointment. Standard hours of operation are 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  4. Kansas City Metro Areas: Contact Test Smartly Labs.
    1. Collection hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at all four of the TSL Kansas City area locations. Call 816-800-9699 to set up your appointment.

See table below:

Lyme Borrelia Direct Detect – Nanotrap® Urine 
Bartonella IgG Detect – IFA Serum 
Tickborne BBB Direct Detect 1 day – dPCR Blood x1 
Tickborne BBB Direct Detect 3 day – dPCR Blood x3 
Lyme + Bartonella Urine and Serum 
Tickborne BBB Plus 1 day Blood x1 + Serum x1 
Tickborne BBB Plus 3 day Blood x3 _ Serum x1 
Lyme + Co-infections Comprehensive 1 day Blood, Urine, Serum 
Lyme + Co-infections Comprehensive 3 day Blood x3, Urine x1, Serum x1 

No, the Lyme + Co-infections tests are drop-ship only and will ship in a separate collection kit box because they have different collection needs. 

Don’t panic. Most of the materials inside the kit are still usable. The expiration date on the kit or at least one of the included tubes has expired. Please check the individual tubes before using them. If a tube is past it’s date, then they can be swapped out for standard SST tubes (yellow top, tiger top) and EDTA tubes (lavender top) as long as those tubes have not expired. Any expired tubes will be rejected per CLIA regulations. 

Yes, a licensed medical practitioner (Licensed Physicians (MD, DO), NPs, PAs, and NDs with active NPI numbers) from an eligible state is required to order testing from Mosaic. 

USA practitioners with a USA address on their account, logged into the MosaicDX practitioner portal, ordering drop ship to USA addressed patient. 

Getting tested with both direct and indirect detection methods provide a more comprehensive and accurate diagnosis, especially with infections and diseases that are difficult to detect. 

Direct Detection: 

Identifies the presence of the pathogen itself, such as with DNA, RNA, or proteins. Direct Detection can confirm that the pathogen (virus, bacteria, etc.) is currently present in your body. Best for acute infections, or cases where the pathogen is present in high enough quantities to be detected. 

Indirect Detection: 

Instead of identifying the presence of a pathogen, it looks for immune system responses that would happen when in the presence of the pathogen. Most commonly, indirect tests are used to measure the amount of antibodies in a sample. Antibodies are the proteins that the immune system typically produces to fight against antigens like bacteria or viruses. These tests can determine whether or not you have been exposed to a pathogen in the past, or even if your body is still fighting off an infection where it would be hard to detect the pathogen directly. Best for chronic or past infections in which pathogens are no longer detectable, but the immune response is. 

Different states have regulations that define the scope of practice for practitioners. It is the practitioner’s responsibility to abide by these rules. Check with your state board of health to determine any restrictions related to laboratory testing. Please note, Mosaic Diagnostics does not offer testing in New York. 

Once you have opened your account, you have the options of ordering kits to stock in your office or drop-ship kits directly to your patients through your MosaicDX portal.   

Watch our short tutorial videos on how to conveniently  

Already have a kit? Watch this video on how to place an order for your patient using a kit from your inventory.   

Visit the payment information page for an overview of payment options and procedures along with insurance coverage overview.

NOTE: Insurance coverage for testing is based on several factors such as the type of procedure, diagnosis, and insurance policy guidelines. Patients are encouraged to contact their insurance company to check for coverage and to provide the procedure codes (CPT codes) and diagnostic codes (ICD-10 codes). The CPT codes can be found on the billing information page, while ICD-10 codes are provided by the practitioner.

Mosaic Diagnostics offers written interpretations within test reports and complimentary consultations with our clinical educators for qualified practitioners. To schedule a consultation, simply sign in to your MosaicDX account and book a consultation online. 

We encourage all patients to discuss results with your practitioner.

Our Resources tab also contains educational materials that you may find useful, we also offer MosaicEDGE workshops for qualified practitioners to better understand the fundamentals of lab testing.

Have a question? We've got answers.

Our team of experts can help you find exactly what you need. Contact us now and let's get started.

Clinical References

  1. Spach, David. UpToDate. Biology of Bartonella Species. Accessed 05/2025. 
  1. Breitschwerdt E. Bartonellosis: One Health Perspectives for an Emerging Infectious Disease. ILAR Journal, Volume 55, Issue 1, 2014, Pages 46–58, https://doi.org/10.1093/ilar/ilu015 
  1. Bush J, Robveille C, Maggi R, et al. Bush, J.C., Robveille, C., Maggi, R.G. et al.Neurobartonelloses: emerging from obscurity!Parasites Vectors17, 416 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-024-06491-3 
  1. Maggi, R.G., et al. (2005). Bartonella spp. bacteremia in patients with neurological and neurocognitive dysfunction. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 43(9), 4818-4822. 
  1. Breitschwerdt, E.B., et al. (2008). Bartonella spp. bacteremia and rheumatic symptoms in patients from Lyme disease-endemic region. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 14(5), 653-660. 
  1. Breitschwerdt E, Atkins C, Brown T, et al. Bartonella vinsonii subsp. Berkhoffi and Related Members of the Alpha Subdivision of the Proteobacteria in Dogs with Cardiac Arrhythmias, Endocarditis, or Myocarditis. Journal of Clinical Microbiology. Nov 1999, Vol 37 No 11: 3618-26. 
  1. Cheslock M, and Embers M. Human Bartonellosis: An Underappreciated Public Health Problem? Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease Review April 2019. 
  1. Boaz A, Graidy M, Efrat G, et al. Bartonella Koehlerae, a New Cat-Associated Agent of Culture-Negative Human Endocarditis. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, Aug. 2004, v42 No 8: 3462–3468. 
  1. Project Lyme. What is Bartonella. Accessed May 2025. 
  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Bartonella Henselae. Accessed May 2025. 
  1. Galaxy Diagnostics. What is Bartonellosis. Accessed May 2025.