Entamoeba histolytica Antigen, EIA

Message

Order as a miscellaneous test.

Test Code

34964

Alias/See Also

Amebic Antigen, Stool
E1A

CPT Codes
87337

Preferred Specimen

2 grams or 2 mL fresh unpreserved stool collected in a sterile leak-proof container

Minimum Volume

1 gram or 1 mL

Instructions

Stool specimens should be transported in a clean or sterile container as soon as possible and transported at 2° C to 8° C. Store specimens at - 20°C or lower if transport cannot be performed within 48 hours.

Transport Temperature

Frozen

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 48 hours
Frozen: 7 days

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Stool in preservative • Rectal swabs • Diaper specimens • Liver abscess

Methodology
Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA)

Setup Schedule

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

Limitations

Extraintestinal amebiasis is frequently found without trophozoites or cysts in stool: patients may have a negative stool antigen result.

Reference Range

Not detected

Clinical Significance

Entamoeba histolytica are intestinal parasites that infect a half billion people worldwide annually. Of those infected, most are infected with the non-pathogenic E. dispar, which has not been associated with disease. It is estimated that approximately 10% of the half billion people infected each year are infected with the pathogenic E. histolytica. These individuals become symptomatic and develop colitis and liver abscesses.

Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute-San Juan Capistrano, CA

33608 Ortega Highway

San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-2042

Last Updated: May 13, 2022

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.