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HelpTest ID CBL Blastomyces Antibody Immunodiffusion, Spinal Fluid
Specimen Required
Container/Tube: Sterile vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions: Submit specimen from collection vial 1.
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send Infectious Disease Serology Test Request (T916) with the specimen.
Useful For
Detection of antibodies in spinal fluid specimens from patients with blastomycosis
Method Name
Immunodiffusion (ID)
Reporting Name
Blastomyces Ab Immunodiffusion, CSFSpecimen Type
CSFSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.3 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSF | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days | |
| Frozen | 14 days |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | OK |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
Clinical Information
The dimorphic fungus, Blastomyces dermatitidis, causes blastomycosis. When the organism is inhaled, it causes pulmonary disease-cough, pain, and hemoptysis, along with fever and night sweats. It commonly spreads to the skin, bone, or internal genitalia where suppuration and granulomas are typical. Occasionally, primary cutaneous lesions after trauma are encountered; however, this type of infection is uncommon. Central nervous system disease is uncommon.
Reference Values
Negative
Interpretation
A positive result is suggestive of infection, but the results cannot distinguish between active disease and prior exposure. Furthermore, detection of antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may reflect intrathecal antibody production or may occur due to passive transfer or introduction of antibodies from the blood during lumbar puncture.
Routine fungal culture of clinical specimens (eg, CSF) is recommended in cases of suspected blastomycosis involving the central nervous system.
Cautions
A negative result does not rule-out blastomycosis.
Patients with histoplasmosis may have low-titered cross-reactions.
Clinical Reference
1. Kaufman L, Kovacs JA, Reiss E: Clinical immunomycology. In: Rose NL, Conway-de Macario E, Folds JD, Lane HC, Nakamura RM, eds. Manual of Clinical Laboratory Immunology. ASM Press; 1997:588-589
2. Gauthier GM, Klein BS: Blastomycosis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020:3177-3189
Method Description
The immunodiffusion (ID) test is a qualitative test employed for the detection of precipitating antibodies present in the specimen. Soluble antigens of the fungus are placed in wells of an agarose gel-filled Petri dish, and the patient's specimen and a control (positive) are placed in adjoining wells. If present, specific precipitate antibody will form precipitin lines between the wells. Their comparison to the control establishes the results. When performing the ID test, only precipitin bands of identity with the reference bands are significant.(Kaufman L, McLaughlin DW, Clark MJ, Blumer S: Specific immunodiffusion test for blastomycosis. Appl Microbiol. 1973;26:244-247; Williams JE, Murphy R, Standard PG, Phan JP: Serologic response in blastomycosis: diagnostic value of double immunodiffusion assay. Am Res Resp Dis. 1981;123:209-212; Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020)
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Report Available
3 to 5 daysTest Classification
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.CPT Code Information
86612