BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuSputum direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) testDirect immunofluorescence test; Direct fluorescent antibody - sputumSputum direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) is a lab test that looks for micro-organisms in lung secretions. How the Test is Performed You will produce a sputum sample from your lungs by coughing up mucus from deep inside your lungs. (Mucus is not the same as saliva or spit from the mouth.)The sample is sent to a lab. There, a fluorescent dye is added to the sample. If micro-organisms are present, a bright glow (fluorescence) can be seen in the sputum sample using a special microscope. How to Prepare for the Test If coughing does not produce sputum, a breathing treatment may be given before the test to trigger sputum production. How the Test will Feel There is no discomfort with this test. Why the Test is Performed Your doctor may order this test if you have signs of certain lung infections. Normal Results Normally, there is no antigen-antibody reaction. What Abnormal Results Mean Abnormal results may be due to an infection such as:Legionnaire disease Legionnaire diseaseLegionnaires disease is an infection of the lungs and airways. It is caused by Legionella bacteria.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Pneumonia due to certain bacteria, viruses, fungi, or other micro-organismsPneumoniaPneumonia is a breathing (respiratory) condition in which there is an infection of the lung. This article covers community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Risks There are no risks with this test.Open ReferencesReferencesBanaei N, Deresinski SC, Pinsky BA. Microbiologic diagnosis of lung infection. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 19.Patel R. The clinician and the microbiology laboratory: test ordering, specimen collection, and result interpretation. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 16.AllVideoImagesTog Tests for Sputum direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) test Sputum direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) testRelated Information Legionnaires disease(Condition)Mycoplasma pneumonia(Condition)Pneumonia - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 4/29/2022 Reviewed By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Sputum direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) testDirect immunofluorescence test; Direct fluorescent antibody - sputumSputum direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) is a lab test that looks for micro-organisms in lung secretions. How the Test is Performed You will produce a sputum sample from your lungs by coughing up mucus from deep inside your lungs. (Mucus is not the same as saliva or spit from the mouth.)The sample is sent to a lab. There, a fluorescent dye is added to the sample. If micro-organisms are present, a bright glow (fluorescence) can be seen in the sputum sample using a special microscope. How to Prepare for the Test If coughing does not produce sputum, a breathing treatment may be given before the test to trigger sputum production. How the Test will Feel There is no discomfort with this test. Why the Test is Performed Your doctor may order this test if you have signs of certain lung infections. Normal Results Normally, there is no antigen-antibody reaction. What Abnormal Results Mean Abnormal results may be due to an infection such as:Legionnaire disease Legionnaire diseaseLegionnaires disease is an infection of the lungs and airways. It is caused by Legionella bacteria.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Pneumonia due to certain bacteria, viruses, fungi, or other micro-organismsPneumoniaPneumonia is a breathing (respiratory) condition in which there is an infection of the lung. This article covers community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Risks There are no risks with this test.Open ReferencesReferencesBanaei N, Deresinski SC, Pinsky BA. Microbiologic diagnosis of lung infection. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 19.Patel R. The clinician and the microbiology laboratory: test ordering, specimen collection, and result interpretation. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 16.