Ordering Recommendation

Aids in the diagnosis of coccidioidal meningitis and in monitoring of coccidioidal antibody titer in CSF in response to treatment. For comprehensive diagnostic testing that includes immunoassay (IgM and IgG), complement fixation, and immunodiffusion, refer to Coccidioides Antibodies Panel, CSF (3000061).

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 an ARUP standard transport tube. (Min 0.6 mL) Parallel testing is preferred and convalescent specimens must be received within 30 days from receipt of acute specimens.

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions

Other body fluids. Contaminated, hemolyzed, xanthochromic, or severely lipemic specimens.

Remarks

Mark specimens plainly as "acute" or "convalescent."

Stability

Ambient: 48 hours; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 1 year (avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles)

Methodology

Semi-Quantitative Complement Fixation

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

2-4 days

Reference Interval

Less than 1:2

Interpretive Data

A titer of 1:2 or greater suggests past or current infection. However, greater than 30 percent of cases with chronic residual pulmonary disease have negative complement fixation (CF) tests. Titers of less than 1:32 (even as low as 1:2) may indicate past infection or self-limited disease; anticoccidioidal CF antibody titers in excess of 1:16 may indicate disseminated infection. CF serology may be used to follow therapy. Antibody in CSF is considered diagnostic for coccidioidal meningitis, although 10 percent of patients with coccidioidal meningitis will not have antibody in CSF.

Compliance Category

Modified FDA

Note

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

86635

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0050711 Coccidioides Ab by CF, CSF 13917-0
* 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

  • CF
  • Coccidioides immitis
  • Coccidioidomycosis
  • Precipitin
  • TP
  • Valley Fever
Coccidioides Antibodies by Complement Fixation, CSF