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Test ID HICBL Histoplasma/Blastomyces Panel, Spinal Fluid


Specimen Required


Container/Tube: Sterile vial

Specimen Volume: 1.5 mL

Collection Instructions: Submit specimen from collection vial 2.


Secondary ID

113132

Useful For

Aiding in the diagnosis of Histoplasma meningitis

 

Detecting antibodies in patients with blastomycosis

Profile Information

Test ID Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
CHIST Histoplasma Ab, CSF Yes Yes
CBL Blastomyces Ab Immunodiffusion, CSF Yes Yes

Testing Algorithm

For more information see Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel Algorithm

Method Name

CHIST: Complement Fixation (CF)/Immunodiffusion (ID)

CBL: Immunodiffusion (ID)

Reporting Name

Histoplasma/Blastomyces Panel, CSF

Specimen Type

CSF

Specimen Minimum Volume

1 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
CSF Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
  Frozen  14 days

Clinical Information

Histoplasma

Histoplasma capsulatum is a soil saprophyte that grows well in soil enriched with bird droppings. The usual disease is self-limited, asymptomatic, and affects the lungs. Chronic cavitary pulmonary disease, disseminated disease, and meningitis may occur and can be fatal, especially in young children and immunosuppressed patients.

 

Blastomyces

The dimorphic fungus, Blastomyces dermatitidis, causes blastomycosis. When the organism is inhaled, it causes pulmonary disease: cough, pain, and hemoptysis, along with fever and night sweats. It commonly spreads to the skin, bone, or internal genitalia where suppuration and granulomas are typical. Occasionally, primary cutaneous lesions after trauma are encountered; however, this type of infection is uncommon. Central nervous system disease is uncommon.

Reference Values

HISTOPLASMA ANTIBODY

Mycelial by complement fixation: Negative

Yeast by complement fixation: Negative

Antibody by immunodiffusion: Negative

 

BLASTOMYCES ANTIBODY IMMUNODIFFUSION

Negative

Cautions

Histoplasma:

-Antibody levels may be low in spinal fluid in cases of Histoplasma meningitis.

-Histoplasmin skin tests yield specific antibodies in titratable quantity, and may cause difficulties in interpretation.

-Cross-reacting antibodies with coccidioidomycosis or blastomycosis may cause false-positive results for histoplasmosis.

 

Blastomyces:

-A negative result does not rule out blastomycosis.

-Patients with histoplasmosis may have low-titered cross reactions.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Report Available

3 to 6 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information

86698 x3

86612

NY State Approved

Yes