CPT® Code 86774

The CPT® Code 86774 refers to a laboratory test specifically designed to measure the presence of antibodies against the tetanus toxin. Tetanus is a serious infectious disease caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, which typically enters the body through a puncture wound or any break in the skin. Once inside the body, C. tetani produces a potent toxin known as tetanospasmin, which leads to severe muscle spasms and rigidity, particularly affecting the jaw and neck muscles, a condition commonly referred to as lockjaw. The antibody test for tetanus toxoid IgG is crucial for assessing an individual's immune response to the tetanus vaccine, as well as for evaluating potential immune deficiency syndromes that may impair the body's ability to produce adequate antibody levels. The testing process involves obtaining a blood sample through venipuncture, which is a procedure that can be reported separately. The serum obtained from the blood sample is then analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), a sensitive and specific method for detecting the presence of antibodies in the serum.