Cryptococcal antigen (Calgary/South)
- Test Name:
- Cryptococcal antigen (Calgary/South)
- Organism(s)/Disease(s):
-
Cryptococcosis.
Cryptococcus gattii
Cryptococcus meningitis
Cryptococcus neoformans
- Body Source(s):
-
Blood
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
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Clinical Prerequisite(s):
-
Cryptococcal antigen testing is performed on all CSF specimens submitted for fungal culture, if specimen volume allows
Provision of relevant, clinical information is important to ensure a clinically relevant result
Always provide/report:
• clinical history - symptoms, signs, duration
• antimicrobial history
• travel history
• Is the patient immunocompromised:
- chronic infections
- steroid and other immunosuppressive therapy
- post-transplant
- hematological or other malignancy
- Handling and Storage:
-
*Store at Room Temperature
DO NOT refrigerate
- Handling/Storage Comments:
-
Transport STAT to the collecting-site laboratory to ensure specimen is received within 15 minutes of collection.
The specimen must be received at the testing laboratory within 1 hour of collection
- laboratory staff - comment internally on any specimens showing obvious hemolysis, lipemia or turbidity
Serum specimens: if transport is delayed, store at 2-8ºC for up to 72 hours
- Turnaround Times
- See Microbiology Information»
- Comments:
-
All CSF specimens received with a request for Cryptococcal antigen are cultured for fungus
If further information is required, contact the Microbiologist-on-call. Calgary/South, Phone: 1-800-661-9876
Note: Testing is performed once in a 7-day period regardless of previous patient results. Cryptococcal antigen has been validated at the Calgary Diagnostic & Scientific Centre (DSC). It is US FDA approved but not Health Canada approved. Results should be interpreted in the clinical context - Last Reviewed:
- 06 May 2023
