| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
Cryptococcal Antigen, Serum or CSF
Test CodeCRYPTAG
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 collected in a sterile, leakproof container or 2 mL serum collected in a serum separator tube (SST)
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 refrigerant coolant, or, freeze samples and transport on dry ice to the laboratory.
Transport Container
CSF: Sterile screw-cap vial
Serum: Plastic screw-cap vial
Serum: Plastic screw-cap vial
Transport Temperature
Serum from red-top tube (no gel): Refrigerated or frozen
Serum separator tube (SST): Refrigerated (cold-packs)
CSF: Refrigerated (cold-packs) or frozen
Serum separator tube (SST): Refrigerated (cold-packs)
CSF: Refrigerated (cold-packs) or frozen
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 60 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 60 days
Methodology
Latex Agglutination (LA)
Setup Schedule
Set up: Daily p.m. (eveninng, night shift); Report available: Next day
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 |
| 14225 Newbrook Drive |
| Chantilly, VA 20153 |
