Bartonella henselae Ab, IgM is a blood test marker used to detect the presence of IgM antibodies against the Bartonella henselae bacteria, which is the cause of cat scratch disease and other Bartonella-related infections. The IgM antibodies are part of the immune system's early response to an infection, and their presence usually indicates a recent or ongoing infection with Bartonella henselae. When someone has symptoms like fever, swollen lymph nodes, or a history of being scratched or bitten by a cat, this test helps diagnose Bartonella infection by confirming that the body is actively fighting the bacteria. A positive IgM result suggests a recent infection, while a negative result might indicate either no infection or a past infection where IgM antibodies have already declined.
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