Cryptococcal Antigen, Latex Screen with Reflex to Titer
Use
Detects Cryptococcal antigen in serum or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as a screen for Cryptococcosis, caused by encapsulated yeast Cryptococcus neoformans; pulmonary infection may be subclinical in immunocompetent individuals, while immunocompromised patients are at risk for dissemination, particularly to the meninges. Reflex titer performed if the screening is positive per reflex protocol.
Special Instructions
If Cryptococcal Antigen Screen is positive, a titer is reflexively performed at an additional charge.
Limitations
Patients with infections from Capnocytophaga canimorsus or Trichosporon beigelii may yield false-positive results.
Methodology
Other
Biomarkers
Result Turnaround Time
1-3 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
1-4 mL blood (serum) or 0.5-1 mL CSF
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Container
Red top tube (no additive) or sterile container for CSF
Collection Instructions
Centrifuge serum specimens within 1 hour of collection and transfer to a clean, screw-capped vial; CSF in sterile container.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate samples and transport on refrigerant coolant, or freeze and transport on dry ice.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | Unacceptable |
| Refrigerated | 7 days |
| Frozen | 60 days |
Other tests from different labs that may be relevant