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Lab Manual for Moffitt-Long and Mount Zion

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Parasite culture

Item Value
Approval req'd? No
Available Stat? No
Test code P406
Test group Parasites
Performed by CDC
Sendout? Yes
Method Culture, +/- PCR
Collection Instructions Contact Microbiology Lab x3-1268 prior to obtaining specimens, and to discuss appropriate types of samples and collection instructions.

Collect specimens on Monday - Thursday mornings only. Do NOT collect specimens in afternoon or on Fridays, weekends, and holidays. Deliver the specimen to the laboratory within 30 minutes of collection..

Specify the organism sought.

Trypanosoma cruzi: Physician must complete "Patient History Form for T. cruzi (Chagas) Specimen Submission" form.

Leishmania: Physician must complete "Patient History Form Chagas and Leishmaniasis Testing Specimen Submission" form.
Container type
Biopsy/tissue sterile container
Lesion aspirate sterile container or syringe capped with Luer plug
Bone marrow & blood Lavender top
Amount to Collect
Tissue 3 mm (multiple biopsy specimens preferred for Leishmania and Trypanosoma cruzi)
Blood from adult 3 mL
Blood from child 0.5 mL
Sample type
Cutaneous/mucocutaneous leishmaniasis biopsy of edge of lesion or aspirate from edge of lesion
Visceral leishmaniasis biopsy of liver, spleen, or lymph node, bone marrow
Acute Chagas disease blood
Acute or chronic Chagas disease brain biopsy, punch biopsy of heart
Preferred volume
Tissue 3 mm (multiple biopsy specimens preferred for Leishmania and Trypanosoma cruzi)
Blood from adult 3 mL
Blood from child 0.5 mL
Min. Volume
Tissue 3 mm (multiple biopsy specimens preferred for Leishmania and Trypanosoma cruzi)
Blood from adult 3 mL
Blood from child 0.5 mL
UCSF Rejection Criteria Samples received after 1200 noon Monday - Thuirsday, on Fridays, weekends or holidays.
Processing notes Do not refrigerate or freeze. Specimen will be sent out by Microbiology. Samples must be sent the same day that they are collected.
Normal range Negative
Critical value Parasites detected from normally sterile sites
Synonyms Leishmanmia; Trypanosoma cruzi; T. cruzi; Chagas disease
Stability Room temperature 24 hours.
Turn around times 5-28 days
Additional information It may be possible to culture Acanthamoeba or Naegleria species, but diagnosis is more rapid by examination of the CSF by Giemsa stain or wet mount with phase contrast microscopy. See Acanthamoeba/Naegleria Wet Mount and Giemsa Stain.
CPT coding 87081-90
LOINC code 10687-2
Last Updated 4/11/2013 11:56:35 AM
Entry Number 710

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

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