Click here for more information about laboratory operations and procedures
Coccidioides immitis Antibody, Complement fixation
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Approval req'd? | No |
| Available Stat? | No |
| Utilization Guidelines | The Complement fixation (CF) test for antibodies to Coccidioides should be ordered only in patients with a recent positive Immunodiffusion (ID) test. |
| Test code | COCF |
| Test group | Coccidioides immitis Antibody |
| Performed by | UC Davis Coccidiomycosis Laboratory |
| Sendout? | Yes |
| Method | Complement fixation |
| Container type | Gold top or CSF tube |
| Amount to Collect | 4 mL blood or 2 mL CSF |
| Sample type | Serum or CSF |
| Preferred volume | 2 mL serum or CSF |
| UCSF Rejection Criteria | Hemolyzed samples |
| Processing notes | Send out to UC Davis Coccidioidomycosis Serology Laboratory, School of Medicine, Room 3144 Tupper Hall, West Science Drive, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 (By Courier) |
| Units | See notes |
| Normal range | Negative |
| Turn around times | Test run twice per week. Results available in 3-7 days |
| Additional information | UCDCF Results reported as 4+, 3+, 2+, 1+, or 0 at a given serial dilution of the specimen. 4+ is significant (or 3+ provided the immunodiffusion is also positive). 2+ and 1+ are not significant. A rising titer is unfavorable. A titer of > 1:16 in the serum is often associated with metapulmonary dissemination, but a lower titer can be associated limited dissemination e.g., single osseous or cutaneous lesion of meningeal involvement. Samples that are anticomplementary or hemolyzed cannot be assayed by this method; use the immunodiffusion assay instead. Rise in titer is significant and parallels severity. Test is relatively specific, but rare cross-reactions may occur with blastomyces or histoplasma infections. Low CSF titers may occasionally be present, in the absence of meningitis, due to passive spill-over from extremely high serum titers. |
| Last Updated | 11/23/2010 11:46 AM |
| Entry Number | 243 |
If you have additional questions regarding this test, please call: 415-353-1667