Ordering Recommendation

Identify Cryptococcus as an etiological agent of meningitis. CAP requires confirmation by culture for this test; order Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Culture and Gram Stain (0060106).

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

CSF.

Specimen Preparation

Transfer 1 mL CSF to a sterile ARUP Standard Transport Tube (ARUP supply #43115). Available online through eSupply using ARUP Connect™ or contact ARUP Client Services at (800) 522-2787. (Min: 0.25 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions
Remarks
Stability

Ambient: 1 hour; Refrigerated: 1 week; Frozen: 1 week

Methodology

Semi-Quantitative Enzyme Immunoassay

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

Within 24 hours

Reference Interval

Negative

Interpretive Data



Compliance Category

FDA

Note

A titer is performed on all positive specimens. Titer results are reported to the client.  The College of American Pathologists (CAP) requires that Cryptococcal antigen detection testing performed on CSF specimens be confirmed by culture (CAP MIC.42005). When Cryptococcal antigen detection is ordered on CSF specimens by the University of Utah Hospital, Huntsman Cancer Hospital, or the VA Hospital of Salt Lake City, a CSF culture will be ordered automatically (see ARUP Test Code 0060106 for submission requirements). All other specimens will be processed with the assumption that a culture was performed before sending to ARUP unless a specific request for culture is included with the test order. Additional charges apply.

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

87327

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0050195 Cryptococcus Antigen CSF, EIA 29896-8
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

Aliases

  • cryptococcal antigen
  • Cryptococcus Ag Screen, CSF
  • Cryptococcus Antigen, Spinal Fluid
  • India ink
Cryptococcus Antigen, CSF