Coccidioides Panel w/IMDF Confirm and Comp Fix

COCCI/CF

Performed at SQL, test code 1061
Coccidioides EIA (IgM and IgG) with reflex to Immunodiffusion (IMDF) and Complement Fixation

1.5 mL serum from a serum separator tube (SST)
 

0.75 mL
 

Centrifuge as soon as possible after clot formation

See link below for specimen details, methodology, setup schedule and reference ranges.

Refrigerated

Ambient: 24 hours
Refrigerated: 5 days
Frozen: 30 days

Grossly Hemolyzed
Lipemic
Body fluid other than serum

Evening shift: Monday through Friday
Night shift: Monday through Sunday

Available in 1-3 days

Nonreactive

Coccidioidomycosis, also known as San Joaquin Valley fever, is a systemic fungal infection endemic to Arizona and other parts of the southwestern United States. Approximately 60% of infections are asymptomatic.Of the 40% who develop symptoms, most will have an acute febrile "flu-like" illness starting 7-28 days (average 10-16 days) after exposure and most patients will recover completely. The main symptoms are fever, pleuritic chest pain, cough, malaise, headache, myalgia, night sweats and loss of appetite. Five percent of patients may develop metapulmonary dissemination to the meninges, bones, joints and subcutaneous and cutaneous tissues, within the first few weeks to months after the onset of primary infection.

This screening panel includes a qualitative antibody test for IgM and IgG. Reactive results will be confirmed via immunodiffusion (at an additional charge). Positive immunodiffusion results will reflex to complement fixation. Complement Fixation (CF), a quantitative IgG assay, is useful as a prognostic test. Results are expressed as titers, such as 1:2 or 1:8. A titer of 1:16 or greater has been frequently associated with extrapulmonary dissemenation. Positive samples are stored frozen for six months while negative samples are stored frozen for one month.