Coccidioides Antibodies IgM by Immunoassay, CSF
Also known as: COCCIM CSF
Use
This test is used to screen for the presence of coccidioidal IgM antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The presence of IgM antibodies can indicate a current or recent infection with Coccidioides, the fungi responsible for causing coccidioidomycosis, also known as Valley fever. It is not recommended as a standalone test due to its limitations in comprehensiveness. For more thorough diagnostic evaluation, it should be supplemented with additional tests such as complement fixation and immunodiffusion.
Special Instructions
The test utilizes both recombinant and native Coccidioides antigens, including CF and TP antigens. It is important to clearly mark specimens as 'acute' or 'convalescent' when submitting for testing. This test is New York state approved.
Limitations
This antibody test detects IgM antibodies that generally appear by the second week of infection and typically disappear by the fourth month. While the ELISA used in this test covers both tube precipitin and CF antigens, its results alone are not fully definitive. Positive EIA results should be confirmed with immunodiffusion or complement fixation tests to establish a more reliable diagnosis.
New York Approved
Methodology
Immunoassay (ELISA)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 16639-7
Result Turnaround Time
1-3 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Volume
1 mL
Minimum Volume
0.3 mL
Container
ARUP Standard Transport Tube
Collection Instructions
Transfer 1 mL CSF to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerated.
Causes for Rejection
Other body fluids. Contaminated, hemolyzed, xanthochromic, or severely lipemic specimens.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 48 hours |
| Refrigerated | 2 weeks |
| Frozen | 1 year (avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles) |