Coccidioides Antibodies Panel, CSF
Also known as: COCCIABCSF
Use
This test is used to aid in the diagnosis of coccidioidal meningitis. It includes testing for IgM and IgG antibodies by immunoassay (ELISA), complement fixation, and immunodiffusion methods. A positive test for these antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is indicative of past or current infection with Coccidioides, which can lead to conditions such as valley fever or coccidioidal meningitis.
Special Instructions
Specimens must be marked as 'acute' or 'convalescent.' Parallel testing is preferred, and convalescent specimens must be received within 30 days of the acute specimens.
Limitations
Complement fixation (CF) tests may return negative results in over 30% of cases with chronic pulmonary disease. Antibody presence in CSF indicates coccidioidal meningitis, but 10% of affected patients may not show antibodies in CSF. Immunodiffusion results do not exclude coccidioidal infection even if negative. Serological test results should be interpreted in the context of clinical findings.
New York Approved
Methodology
Immunoassay (ELISA)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 13917-0
- 16638-9
- 16639-7
- 21209-2
Result Turnaround Time
3-6 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Volume
2 mL
Minimum Volume
1 mL
Container
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) |
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