Antibody Testing (Five Major Infectious Viruses)
Antibody Testing
(Five Major Infectious Viruses) Learn More
This antibody test screens for infectious diseases and may be required for overseas visas, studying abroad, or clinical training at hospitals and other facilities.
Types of Antibody Tests
- Rubella
- Measles
- Varicella-Zoster Virus (Chickenpox and Shingles)
- Mumps
- Hepatitis B
Turnaround Time
5–7 days (Results will be provided and explained during an in-person visit to the clinic.)
Criteria for Determining Antibody Positivity
Reference Antibody Titer Values for Five Major Viruses
(Scroll horizontally to view the table.)
| Disease/Virus | Test Method | Unit | Negative (No detectable immunity) |
Insufficient Immunity (Antibodies are detected but do not meet the required level) |
Positive (Sufficient immunity) |
| Measles | EIA-IgG | EIA Titer | Less than 2.0 | 2.0–15.9 | 16.0 or higher |
| PA | Titer | Less than 1:16 | 1:16, 1:32, 1:64, or 1:128 | 1:256 or higher | |
| NT | Titer | Less than 1:4 | 1:4 | 1:8 or higher | |
| Rubella | HI | Titer | Less than 1:8 | 1:8 or 1:16 | 1:32 or higher |
| EIA-IgG | EIA Titer | Less than 2.0 | 2.0–7.9 | 8.0 or higher | |
| Varicella (Chickenpox) | EIA-IgG | EIA Titer | Less than 2.0 | 2.0–3.9 | 4.0 or higher |
| IAHA | Titer | Less than 1:2 | 1:2 | 1:4 or higher | |
| NT | Titer | Less than 1:2 | 1:2 | 1:4 or higher | |
| Mumps | EIA-IgG | EIA Titer | Less than 2.0 | 2.0–3.9 | 4.0 or higher |
| Hepatitis B (HBs Antibody) | CLIA | mIU/mI | Less than 10.0 | – | 10.0 or higher |
References: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website and Japanese Society for Infection Prevention and Control guidelines
About Antibodies
What Are Antibodies?
Antibodies are proteins known as immunoglobulins.
When a foreign substance enters the body, the immune system produces antibodies (*2) that specifically bind to antigens (*1) on the foreign substance and help eliminate it.
*1 Antigen: A foreign substance, such as a bacterium or virus
*2 Antibody: A substance that attacks an antigen
The process by which an antigen enters the body and triggers an immune response is called sensitization. During the initial sensitization, antibodies are produced slowly (primary immune response). From the second exposure onward, large quantities of antibodies are produced immediately (secondary immune response).
The Role of Antibodies
Four Main Functions
- Neutralization of antigens
- Opsonization
- Cell lysis
- Induction of inflammation
Types of Antibodies
Five Types
- IgG: The most abundant antibody in the blood. It has a strong ability to bind to bacteria and toxins and remains in the bloodstream for a long time.
- IgM: Rapidly produced by B cells when the body encounters a specific antigen for the first time. It plays an important role during the early stages of infection.
- IgA: Found in greater amounts in the intestinal tract and bodily secretions than in the blood. It helps prevent bacteria and other foreign substances from entering the body through the mucous membranes of the nose, eyes, and other areas.
- IgD: Released by antibody-producing cells in the tonsils and upper respiratory tract tissues. It is believed to play a role in respiratory immunity.
- IgE: Binds to mast cells and triggers allergic reactions.
Antigen–Antibody Reactions
When the body is infected with a pathogen, it produces substances called antibodies that bind specifically to that pathogen and protect the body by neutralizing it. A substance that triggers antibody production is called an antigen, and the reaction between an antigen and its corresponding antibody is called an antigen–antibody reaction. If this reaction becomes excessive, it may cause an allergic reaction.
Vaccination uses the body’s natural ability to produce antibodies to help prevent diseases caused by pathogens.。