CPT® Code 86768

The CPT® Code 86768 refers to a laboratory test specifically designed to measure antibodies against Salmonella, particularly Salmonella typhi, the bacterium responsible for typhoid fever. Typhoid fever is a serious illness that can be transmitted through fecal contamination, often via contaminated food and water supplies. Individuals infected with S. typhi may not exhibit symptoms but can still carry and shed the bacterium, posing a risk of infection to others. The symptoms associated with typhoid fever include high fever, weakness, abdominal pain, headache, loss of appetite, and a characteristic body rash. The antibody test for Salmonella encompasses various serotypes, including S. typhi H type A, B, D, and O type D and VI. A positive result from this test indicates that the individual has had past exposure to S. paratyphi, either through infection or vaccination. It is important to note that this test is not intended for confirming an acute infection of salmonellosis. The procedure involves obtaining a blood sample through venipuncture, which is reported separately, and the serum is then analyzed using a qualitative immunoblot method to detect the presence of antibodies.