Skip to main content

Cryptococcus Antigen

CPT 87899. If reflex testing is performed, concomitant CPT codes/charges will apply.

Test Details

Methodology

Lateral flow immunochromographic assay

Result Turnaround Time

1 - 3 days

Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.

Related Information

Related Documents

Test Includes

Reflex to titer on positive result

Use

Aid in establishing the presence of Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gattii infection

Limitations

Endpoint titers may not correlate between different methods of cryptococcal antigen testing. Patients with positive cryptococcal antigen results, therefore, should be monitored using the same assay.

References

Binnicker MJ, Jespersen DJ, Bestrom JE, Rollins LO. Comparison of four assays for the detection of cryptococcal antigen. Clin Vaccine Immunol. 2012 Dec; 19(12):1988-1990. 23081814
Klausner JD, Vijayan T, Chiller T. Sensitivity and specificity of a new cryptococcal antigen lateral flow assay in serum and cerebrospinal fluid.MLO. 2013 Mar; 45(3):16,18,20. 23822028

Custom Additional Information

Published data for the median sensitivity and specificity for serum specimens are 100% and 99.5%, respectively. False-positive results due to the presence of rheumatoid factor have not been noted with the cryptococcal antigen lateral flow immunochromatographic assay. A negative test does not preclude diagnosis of Cryptococcus infection, particularly if only a single specimen has been tested and the patient shows symptoms consistent with cryptococcosis.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen

Serum

Volume

2 mL

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Stability Requirements

Temperature

Period

Refrigerated

72 hours (stability provided by manufacturer or literature reference)

Frozen

>72 hours (stability provided by manufacturer or literature reference)

Storage Instructions

Refrigerated (2°-8°C) or frozen (<−20°C)

Causes for Rejection

Quantity not sufficient for analysis; inappropriate specimen source; inappropriate specimen collection device; hemolysis; lipemia; specimen stability exceeded; name discrepancy between the name on the specimen container and the name in the computer or on the test request form

LOINC® Map

Order Code Order Code Name Order Loinc Result Code Result Code Name UofM Result LOINC
183025 Cryptococcus Antigen, Serum 70910-5 183026 Cryptococcus Antigen, Serum 70910-5
Order Code183025
Order Code NameCryptococcus Antigen, Serum
Order Loinc70910-5
Result Code183026
Result Code NameCryptococcus Antigen, Serum
UofM
Result LOINC70910-5
Reflex Table for Cryptococcus Antigen, Serum
Order Code Order Name Result Code Result Name UofM Result LOINC
Reflex 1 183036 Cryptococcus Ag Titer, Serum 183036 Cryptococcus Ag Titer, Serum 9818-6
Reflex 1
Order Code183036
Order NameCryptococcus Ag Titer, Serum
Result Code183036
Result NameCryptococcus Ag Titer, Serum
UofM
Result LOINC9818-6