| Cryptococcus antigen test (8000100288) | |
|---|---|
| Test Mnemonic: | |
| Specimen Requirements: | |
| Collection: | Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF): Collect specimen aseptically following accepted procedures. Submit at least 0.5 ml of CSF. Serum : Collect serum in Serum Seperator Tube (SST) |
| Container: | CSF - Sterile tube Serum - Serum Seperator Tube (SST) |
| Minimum Volume: | CSF - 0.5 ml; Serum - 1ml |
| Storage/Transport: | Transport as soon as possible. Refrigerate 2-8'C up to 3 days. If there are delays, samples should be frozen (<-20'C). |
| Specimen Preparation: | None for CSF; Within 2 hours of collection, centrifuge SST tube |
| Stability: | Refrigerate 2-8'C up to 3 days. If there are delays, samples should be frozen (<-20'C). |
| Causes for Rejection: | Specimen container unlabeled or labeled incorrectly, no date and time of collection or no collector information on order. Insufficient quantity, hemolysis, and lipemia. |
| Reference Range: | Negative |
| Turnaround Time: | Test is performed daily |
| Methodology: | Color immunochromatographic dipstick |
| Performed: | Clinical Microbiology |
| Synonyms: | India ink prep; Cryptococcus neoformans prep; Cryptococcal antigen |
| Clinical Indication: | Detection of Cryptococcus species antigen in serum and CSF |
| Patient Preparation : | Lumbar puncture for CSF and routine venipuncture for blood |
| CPT 4 Code: | 86641 |
| Note: | The first positive result occurrence is considered to be a critical value and the LIP is notified. CSF and serum samples that are positive by screening test are titered. Requests for titer within 7 days of previous titer are rejected as duplicate. |
| When ordering tests for which Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement will be sought, physicians should only order tests that are medically necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of the patient. Components of the organ or disease panels may be ordered individually. The diagnostic information must substantiate all tests ordered and must be in the form of an ICD-10 code or its verbal equivalent. | |