Ordering Recommendation

Use for rapid identification of P. jirovecii. Negative DFA results are confirmed by PCR testing. Sensitivity is dependent on patient population and specimen type.

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Respiratory specimen: Bronchial washing, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), or induced sputum.

Specimen Preparation

Transfer 5 mL respiratory specimen to a sterile container. (Min: 1 mL)  Place each specimen in an individually sealed bag.

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions

Tissues. Formalinized specimens. Slides or swabs.

Remarks

Specimen source required.

Stability

Ambient: 2 hours; Refrigerated: 1 week; Frozen: Unacceptable

Methodology

Direct Fluorescent Antibody Stain/Qualitative Polymerase Chain Reaction

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

1-6 days

Reference Interval

Negative

Interpretive Data



Compliance Category

FDA

Note

A negative stain result does not exclude the possibility of infection. False-negative results may occur due to sampling errors or a low number of organisms in the specimen. If Pneumocystis jirovecii DFA is negative, then Pneumocystis jirovecii by PCR testing will be added. Additional charges apply.

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

87015; 87281; if reflexed, add 87798

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
2002588 Pneumocystis source: 31208-2
2009227 Pneumocystis jirovecii - DFA 700-5
* 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

  • Pneumocystis carinii
Pneumocystis jirovecii DFA with Reflex to Pneumocystis jirovecii by PCR