Cryptococcal Antigen, Latex Screen with Reflex to Titer

Test Code

11196

CPT Codes
86403

Includes

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

Preferred Specimen

1 mL CSF or 2 mL serum

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Instructions

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

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 60 days

Methodology
Latex Agglutination (LA)

Setup Schedule

Set up: Mon-Fri; Report available: 1-4 days

Limitations

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

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.

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.