Cryptococcal Antigen

Test Code

LAB779

Quest Code

11196

CPT Codes
86403

Includes

If Cryptococcal Antigen Screen is Detected, then Cryptococcal Antigen, Latex Titer will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 86406).

Preferred Specimen

1 mL CSF in a sterile plastic screw cap container

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL CSF or serum

Other Acceptable Specimens

2 mL serum

Instructions

Centrifuge serum specimens within 1 hour of collection. Transfer serum to clean, plastic, screw-capped vial(s). Refrigerate samples and transport on refrigerant coolant or freeze samples and transport on dry ice to the laboratory.

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 60 days

Methodology
Latex Agglutination (LA)

Setup Schedule

Set up: Tues-Sat; Report available: 1-3 days

Limitations

Patients with capnocytophaga canimorsus and tichosporon beigelli infections may test falsely-positive.

Reference Range

Not detected

Clinical Significance

The encapsulated soil yeast Cryptococcus neoformans causes Cryptococcosis. Pulmonary infection is acquired by inhalation of the organism and is usually subclinical in the immunocompetent host. Dissemination may occur in an immunocompromised patient, often to the meninges.

Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute-San Juan Capistrano, CA

33608 Ortega Highway

San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-2042

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.