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Fungal Culture, Coccidiodes (CSF)

Item Value
Approval req'd? No
Available Stat? No
Utilization Guidelines For diagnosis of yeast and Cryptococcal meningitis, recommended tests are: CSF bacterial culture (yeast, including Cryptococcus neoformans grow well on routine bacterial culture) CSF and serum Cryptococcal Antigen (CrAg)

Sensitivity of CSF Culture for Coccidiodes immitis is limited. Serum and / or CSF serology for Coccidioides (Coccidioides immitis Antibody, Immunodiffusion) are more sensitive than culture and are the recommended first-line diagnostic tests.

The yield of CSF cultures for other dimorphic fungi and invasive molds, including Aspergillus, Blastomyces, Histoplasma and the Zygomycetes (Mucor and Rhizopus) is extremely low. Tissue biopsy, if possible, is the recommended specimen for fungal diagnosis by culture.
Test code P256N
Test group Fungal
Performed by Microbiology
In House Availability Set up daily, day and evening shifts
Method Culture
Container type CSF Collection tube
Amount to Collect 5-10 mL CSF
Sample type CSF
Preferred volume 5-10 mL CSF
Min. Volume 5 mL CSF
Normal range No Coccidiodes isolated
Critical value Positive culture
Synonyms C. immitis; San Joaquin valley Fever
Stability Refrigerated 24 hours
Turn around times Up to 30 days
Additional information
CPT coding 87102
Last Updated 10/21/2011 1:50:03 PM
Entry Number 1304

If you have additional questions regarding this test, please call: 415-353-1667

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