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Cryptococcus antigen test: (088-8141)
Clinical Indication:

 Detection of Cryptococcus species antigen in serum and CSF.
Test Mnemonic:

 F CRY
Methodology:

Lateral Flow Assay
Performed:

 Clinical Microbiology
Turnaround Time:

 Test is performed daily
Specimen Requirements:

Collect:

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

                            Collect specimen aseptically following accepted procedures.

                            Submit at least 0.5 ml of CSF.

Serum           

             Collect whole blood aseptically according to accepted procedures.

             Collect serum in gold topped (SST) tube

Specimen Preparation: None for CSF; Within 2 hours of collection, centrifuge  SST tube

Storage/Transport:  Transport as soon as possible. Refrigerate if there are delays.

Stability: CSF and serum: 3 days if refrigerated, indefinitely if frozen (<200C)

Causes for Rejection:  Specimen container unlabeled or labeled incorrectly, no date and time of collection on requisition form, Insufficient quantity, hemolysis, lipemia  
Clinical Information:

The first positive result occurrence is considered to be a critical value and the LIP is notified.

This test replaces the India ink prep to detect Cryptococcus in CSF.
Reference Range:

Negative
Note:

CSF and serum samples that are positive by screening test are submitted to a reference laboratory for antigen titer.

Requests for titer within 7 days of previous titer are rejected as duplicate.
CPT 4 Code:

86641
Review 6/11/2013 by T. Friloux

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-9 code or its verbal equivalent.

 

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