Blastomyces Antibody, Complement Fixation, Serum

Test Code

933X

Preferred Specimen

1 mL serum

Minimum Volume

0.1 mL

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 7 days
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: 30 days

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

Gross hemolysis • Grossly icteric

Methodology
Complement Fixation (CF)

Setup Schedule

Set up: Tue-Sat; Report available: 3-5 days

Clinical Significance

Although titers of 1:8 and greater are considered positive, confirmed serological diagnosis of blastomycosis by the CF test requires a four-fold or greater increase in titer between acute and convalescent specimens, and lack of corresponding titers to C. immitis and H. capsulatum. Specificity can only be demonstrated by immunodiffusion procedures. A negative CF test does not rule out the diagnosis of active blastomycosis, as less than 50% of sera from patients with proven blastomycosis are positive by this assay.

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.