Cocci Ab by EIA w/rfx to CF

• COCM:  COCCI IgM Antibody and interpretation
• COCG:  COCCI IgG Antibody and interpretation

• Store sample at room temperature for no longer than 8 hours.
• If testing is not performed within 8 hours, sera may be refrigerated and stored between 2 to 8⁰ C for no longer than 5 days.
• If longer storage is required, it is recommended that several aliquots of each specimen be frozen (-20 to -80⁰C) to avoid multiple freeze-thawing. Do not store in a frost-free freezer.

The OMEGA Coccidioides Antibody Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) is used for the qualitative detection of serum IgM and IgG antibodies directed against antigens from Coccidioides spp. as an aid in the diagnosis of Coccidioidomycosis.

Coccidioides spp. is a dimorphic fungus that exists as either a mycelium (saprobic growth) or a spherule (parasitic growth) and causes respiratory diseases and occasionally diseases affecting other systems. Though endemic in the Southwestern United States and Mexico, increased travel to the endemic areas has also increased the incidence in nonendemic areas.

Coccidioidomycosis should be considered whenever patients display symptoms of pulmonary or meningeal infection and have lived or traveled to the endemic areas.Coccidioidomycosis presents a diagnostic challenge to the physician and laboratorian. The manifestations of most early coccidioidal infections overlap substantially with those of other respiratory infections. In addition, culturally and histologically the organisms can be difficult to demonstrate, even after repeated attempts. Therefore, specific laboratory testing is usually required to establish a diagnosis of Coccidioidomycosis. Serologic tests have served for several decades as aids in the diagnosis and management of Coccidioidomycosis. Complement fixation (CF), immunodiffusion (ID) and latex agglutination (LA) have been the most commonly used serologic methods. The CF assay is sensitive; however, its performance is complex and labor intensive, and the CF assay exhibits low specificity due to cross-reactive antibodies recognizing carbohydrate moieties common to several fungi. The ID assay is more specific, but less sensitive than the CF assay. In addition, the ID assay takes 48 hours to perform and requires highly skilled personnel to properly interpret results. The LA assay is sensitive and rapid, but lacks specificity. However, the OMEGA Coccidioides Antibody EIA is a sensitive, specific, and rapid test for the qualitative detection of IgM and IgG antibodies against antigens from Coccidioides.