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Parasites, Skin biopsy
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Approval req'd? | No |
| Available Stat? | No |
| Test code | P406 |
| Test group | Parasites |
| Performed by | Microbiology |
| In House Availability | Monday-Friday, day shift |
| Method | Culture (P406) and Giemsa staine (P403L) for Leishmania species, Wet mount (P412) for Onchocerca volvulus |
| Collection Instructions | Contact Microbiology at x3-1268) for instructions on collecting aspirates or punch biopsies for cutaneous or mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. Culture for Leishmania species; call x3-1268 prior to submission so that reagents can be prepared ahead. See the entry for Onchocerca for instructions on collecting skin snips. Part of the tissue should be submitted to Surgical Pathology. |
| Container type | Clean container |
| Sample type | Skin Biopsy |
| Normal range | |
| Stability | Refrigerated 24 hours |
| Turn around times | 1-3 days |
| Additional information | Smears of skin biopsies are stained with Giemsa for the diagnosis of Leishmania species or for filaria (Onchocerca volvulus) infection. Skin biopsy is NOT useful for the diagnosis of Cutaneous Larva Migrans. If wet mount is positive , a Giemsa stain is done to differentiate Onchocerca volvulus from Loa loa at additional charge (B409) Prior authorization is required for culture of Brown and Toland patients. |
| LOINC code | 10687-2 |
| Last Updated | 10/2/2010 11:52:23 AM |
| Entry Number | 717 |
If you have additional questions regarding this test, please call: 415-353-1667