Ordering Recommendation

Preferred test to diagnose Microsporidia in immunocompromised patients with persistent diarrhea if Encephalitozoon spp (E. intestinalis/E. hellem/E. cuniculi) or E. bieneusi is the suspected infectious agent.

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Stool.

Specimen Preparation

Transfer 1 mL stool to an unpreserved stool transport vial (ARUP supply #40910). Available online through eSupply using ARUP Connect® or contact ARUP Client Services at (800) 522-2787. (Min: 0.5 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature

Frozen.

Unacceptable Conditions

Specimens in Viral Transport Media. Stool in formalin.

Remarks

Additional information required: Specimen source

Stability

Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 2 weeks

Methodology

Qualitative Polymerase Chain Reaction

Performed

Tue, Thu, Sat

Reported

2-5 days

Reference Interval

Interpretive Data

A negative result does not rule out the presence of PCR inhibitors in the patient specimen or test-specific nucleic acid in concentrations below the level of detection by this test.

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by ARUP Laboratories. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. This test was performed in a CLIA certified laboratory and is intended for clinical purposes.

Compliance Category

Laboratory Developed Test (LDT)

Note

This test detects and speciates Enterocytozoon bieneusi. The nucleic acid from Encephalitozoon intestinalis, Encephalitozoon hellem, and Encephalitozoon cuniculi will be detected by this test but cannot be differentiated.

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

87798 x2

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
2011627 Microsporidia by PCR, Source 31208-2
2011628 Enterocytozoon bieneusi by PCR 41443-3
2011629 Encephalitozoon species by PCR
* 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

  • Encephalitozoon cuniculi
  • Encephalitozoon hellem
  • Encephalitozoon intestinalis
  • Enterocytozoon bieneusi
Microsporidia by PCR