Aiding in the diagnosis of Histoplasma meningitis using spinal fluid specimens
Complement Fixation (CF)/Immunodiffusion
CSF
Container/Tube: Sterile vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions: Submit specimen from collection vial 2.
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send Infectious Disease Serology Test Request (T916) with the specimen.
0.5 mL
Gross hemolysis | OK |
Gross lipemia | OK |
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
CSF | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days | |
Frozen | 14 days |
Aiding in the diagnosis of Histoplasma meningitis using spinal fluid specimens
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.
MYCELIAL BY COMPLEMENT FIXATION (CF)
Negative (positives reported as titer)
YEAST BY CF
Negative (positives reported as titer)
ANTIBODY BY IMMUNODIFFUSION
Negative (positives reported as band present)
Any positive serologic result in spinal fluid is significant.
Simultaneous appearance of the H and M precipitin bands indicates active histoplasmosis.
The M band alone indicates active or chronic disease or a recent skin test for histoplasmosis.
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.
1. Kaufman L, Kovacs JA, Reiss E: Clinical immunomycology. In: Rose NR, de Macario ED, Folds JD, Lane HC, Nakamura RM, eds. Manual of Clinical Laboratory Immunology. ASM Press.1997
2. Deepe GS: Histoplasma capsulatum Histoplasmosis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020:3162-3176
Both immunodiffusion and compliment fixation (CF) tests are used to detect antibodies to Histoplasma capsulatum. For immunodiffusion, the antigen is a culture filtrate, histoplasmin. H and M precipitin bands are identified. For the CF test, the antigens are histoplasmin and a yeast form of Histoplasma capsulatum; the latter is more sensitive.(Roberts GD: Fungi. In: Washington II, JA eds. Laboratory Procedures in Clinical Microbiology. 2nd ed. Springer-Verlag; 1985; Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020)
Monday through Friday
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.
86698 x 3
Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
CHIST | Histoplasma Ab, CSF | 91684-1 |
Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
---|---|---|
15118 | Histoplasma Mycelial (CSF) | 27220-3 |
15119 | Histoplasma Yeast (CSF) | 27209-6 |
15120 | Histoplasma Immunodiffusion (CSF) | 91682-5 |