IFN gamma refers to Interferon-gamma. Interferon-gamma is one of the cytokines assessed in the CytoDx Cytokine Response Profile offered by Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory. Cytokines are important mediators of immune responses, and their imbalances have been linked to chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases. 

IFN gamma is categorized as a pro-inflammatory cytokine and is associated with Th1 cell responses. Th1 cells are involved in cellular immunity and play a critical role in defense against intracellular pathogens, such as viruses and certain bacteria. Interferon-gamma is a key cytokine produced by Th1 cells and is essential for activating immune responses against these intracellular pathogens.

Testing for IgE antibodies is essential in diagnosing and managing allergic diseases. IgE is linked to allergic reactions, and its level can indicate the severity of symptoms and the risk of severe reactions like anaphylaxis. Testing helps identify specific allergens, crucial for effective allergy management. It also monitors the effectiveness of treatments such as immunotherapy, where decreasing IgE levels signify positive responses. In chronic allergic conditions like asthma and eczema, IgE testing confirms diagnoses and guides treatment. Elevated IgE levels can even predict the development of allergies, especially in children, allowing for early intervention. Understanding IgE's role has also led to targeted therapies like anti-IgE monoclonal antibodies, effective in treating severe allergic asthma. Overall, IgE antibody testing is a key component in personalized allergy care.

The IGF-1, LC/MS test is a highly accurate and specific method used to measure Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1), a hormone that reflects growth hormone (GH) activity and plays a key role in growth, metabolism, and tissue repair. This test is commonly used to evaluate growth disorders, diagnose and monitor acromegaly (GH excess), assess growth hormone deficiency (GHD), and guide GH or IGF-1 replacement therapy. Unlike standard immunoassays, which can be affected by IGF binding proteins and yield inaccurate results, the LC/MS method precisely measures intact IGF-1 with high sensitivity and minimal interference. It also allows for detection of rare IGF-1 variants and provides standardized results based on sex- and age-adjusted reference ranges. IGF-1 levels are interpreted using Z-scores, where values above +2.0 may suggest GH excess, below -2.0 may indicate GHD, and values within ±2.0 are typically considered normal. LC/MS testing is especially useful in patients undergoing long-term treatment, as it provides consistent and reliable measurements—making it a preferred tool in endocrine evaluation and therapy management.

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 is a member of the family of structurally homologous proteins (= those with a common evolutionary origin) that specifically binds and modulates the activities of IGF-1 and IGF-2.

Serum levels of IGFBP-1 exhibit considerable diurnal variation (= the variations occur in response to circadian rhythms) with levels highest early in the morning and lowest in the evening. Serum IGFBP-1 levels are controlled by insulin with the postprandial increase (= after a meal) in insulin levels producing a four- to fivefold decrease in IGFBP-1 levels relative to fasting levels.

Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 (IGFBP-3) is an important protein in our body that helps manage growth and development. It mainly works by controlling the activity of growth factors, IGF-I and IGF-II, which are crucial for cell growth. IGFBP-3 is mostly produced in the liver and travels in the blood, often attached to these growth factors.

Apart from regulating growth factors, IGFBP-3 also has its own roles. It can influence cell growth, the process of cells dying (apoptosis), and cell transformation (differentiation). These functions make it important not just in normal body processes like growth and aging, but also in diseases like cancer and metabolic disorders such as diabetes.

IGFBP-3 is a multifunctional protein integral to regulating various physiological processes from growth to cancer progression and metabolic health. Its potential as a biomarker underscores its importance in ongoing research aimed at developing new treatments for diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and age-related disorders.

The IgG Borrelia afzelii test measures antibodies against Borrelia afzelii, one of the main bacterial species that cause Lyme disease in Europe and Asia. Unlike Borrelia burgdorferi (more common in North America), B. afzelii is especially associated with chronic skin forms of Lyme disease, such as acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans (ACA).

The IgG Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.) test measures antibodies against the primary species of Borrelia that causes Lyme disease in North America and parts of Europe. This species is strongly linked to arthritis, neurological symptoms, and late-stage Lyme manifestations.

The IgG Borrelia burgdorferi Antigen (Ag) test measures long-term antibodies against antigens of Borrelia burgdorferi, the main bacterium responsible for Lyme disease, particularly in North America. Unlike species-specific tests that focus on one strain, antigen-based assays detect immune responses to a broader range of Borrelia proteins, offering insight into both past exposure and potential later-stage infection.

The IgG Borrelia garinii test detects antibodies against Borrelia garinii, one of the main bacterial species in the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex that causes Lyme disease, particularly in Europe and Asia. This strain is strongly linked with neurological forms of Lyme disease (neuroborreliosis), including meningitis, radiculitis, and cranial nerve involvement.

The IgG Borrelia miyamotoi test detects antibodies against Borrelia miyamotoi, a tick-borne bacterium closely related to Lyme disease pathogens but classified as a relapsing fever Borrelia species. Unlike Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (which causes classical Lyme disease), B. miyamotoi is associated with hard-tick relapsing fever (HTRF) and can cause recurring fever episodes, flu-like symptoms, and in some cases, neurological complications.

The IgG Babesia test measures antibodies against Babesia species, a group of parasites transmitted by ticks that can cause babesiosis, a malaria-like illness. Babesia microti is the most common species in North America, while Babesia divergens and others are more frequently found in Europe and Asia.

What IgG Babesia Means

• IgG antibodies typically develop several weeks after infection and may remain detectable for months or years, even after treatment.

• A positive IgG result usually indicates past exposure or immune memory, not necessarily an active infection.

• IgM antibodies are more reflective of recent or acute babesiosis, while IgG testing provides a view of longer-term immune response.

The IgG Bartonella test measures antibodies against Bartonella species, a group of bacteria transmitted by ticks, fleas, or scratches from infected animals (especially cats). Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana are the most common human pathogens. Infection can lead to cat scratch disease, trench fever, or tick-borne bartonellosis, which may cause persistent systemic or neurological symptoms.

IgG to the Epstein–Barr Virus Early Antigen (EA) helps evaluate whether the virus may have been active or reactivated at some point. Early Antigen is a protein produced during the early phase of EBV replication. While most people only develop long-term antibodies to EBV’s Viral Capsid Antigen (VCA) and EBNA proteins, some individuals also develop EA IgG.

EA IgG is sometimes used in conjunction with other EBV markers (VCA IgM, VCA IgG, EBNA IgG) to help understand patterns of:

• Past EBV infection

• Possible reactivation

• Chronic or recurrent EBV activity

However, EA IgG alone does not diagnose acute EBV and often requires correlation with multiple markers.

What It Means When Your EA IgG Result Is Within the Reference Range (Negative)

A negative or normal IgG Early Antigen result means there is no evidence of immune activity directed at EBV’s Early Antigen. In practical terms, this indicates:

• No sign of recent EBV reactivation

• No indication of active viral replication

• No detectable EA-specific immune memory

Because EA IgG is not always produced during routine EBV infections, many healthy individuals remain EA IgG negative even if they had mononucleosis or another EBV infection years earlier. A negative EA IgG result is therefore common and expected.

When EA IgG is within the reference range:

• EBV is not actively replicating

• There is no laboratory support for ongoing or chronic EBV activity

• Past EBV exposure (if present) is considered stable and inactive

This finding is especially meaningful when paired with negative EBV VCA IgM and negative or stable EBV IgG markers.

IgG EB Nuclear Antigen (EBNA IgG) measures long-term antibodies produced after infection with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV). EBNA IgG is a key marker because it typically appears later in the infection, often several months after the initial illness, and then remains detectable for life.

For this reason, EBNA IgG is considered one of the most reliable indicators of past EBV infection. When positive, it helps confirm that someone has previously had EBV and has developed lasting immune memory to the virus.

Clinicians often use EBNA IgG together with VCA IgG, VCA IgM, and Early Antigen (EA) to understand whether an infection is recent, past, or possibly reactivated.

What It Means When Your EBNA IgG Result Is Within the Reference Range (Negative)

A negative or normal EBNA IgG result means there is no detectable antibody response to the EBV Nuclear Antigen. This typically indicates:

• No evidence of a past EBV infection, or

• The infection was very recent, and EBNA antibodies have not yet appeared (less common), or

• Antibody levels are below the detection threshold of the test.

Because EBNA IgG usually becomes positive months after infection and remains elevated for life, most adults who have ever had EBV will test positive. A negative result is therefore most common in:

• Young children

• Individuals who have never been exposed to EBV

• People being tested early in the course of a suspected new infection

When EBNA IgG is within the reference range, and other EBV markers (VCA IgG, EA IgG, VCA IgM) are also negative, this strongly suggests no prior EBV infection.

The IgG Ehrlichia test measures antibodies against Ehrlichia species, bacteria transmitted by ticks that cause ehrlichiosis, a potentially serious tick-borne illness. The two main human pathogens are Ehrlichia chaffeensis (human monocytic ehrlichiosis, HME) and Ehrlichia ewingii. Infections can lead to fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, and sometimes severe complications if untreated.

IgG Epstein–Barr Virus Viral Capsid Antigen (EBV VCA IgG) measures long-term antibodies produced after infection with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)—one of the most common human viruses. EBV typically causes infectious mononucleosis (“mono”) but can also produce very mild or even unnoticed infections, especially in children.

VCA IgG antibodies usually appear a few weeks after infection and remain detectable for life. Because of this, EBV VCA IgG is a reliable marker for determining whether someone has been infected with EBV at any point in the past.

This marker is most informative when combined with:

• EBV VCA IgM

• EBV Early Antigen (EA)

• EBV EBNA IgG
  Together, these help distinguish past infection, recent infection, and possible viral reactivation.

What It Means When Your IgG EBV VCA Result Is Within the Reference Range (Negative)

A negative or normal EBV VCA IgG result means there is no detectable evidence of a past EBV infection. Your immune system is not showing long-term antibodies to EBV’s Viral Capsid Antigen.

When EBV VCA IgG falls within the reference range:

• You have not been previously infected with EBV, or

• Your antibody level is below the test’s detection limit, which is uncommon but possible in early infection.

• There is no indication of prior mononucleosis, nor of past EBV exposure.

• EBV is not currently active based on this antibody alone.

Most adolescents and adults test positive for EBV IgG because past exposure is extremely common. A negative result simply means you have not developed lasting EBV antibodies yet.