| Test Name: |
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Blastomyces Ag
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| Test Code(s): |
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BLSTAG / HCBLSTAG
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| CPT Code(s): |
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87449
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| Methodology: |
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Enzyme Immunoassay
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| Clinical Significance: |
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May be used as an aid in diagnosis of disseminated or acute pulmonary blastomycosis.
Blastomyces antigen levels decline with therapy and increase with relapse, offering a method to monitor the effect of treatment and diagnose relapse.
This assay detects Blastomyces dermatitidis antigen.
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| Testing Site: |
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Testing will be sent to an approved reference laboratory.
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| Days Performed: |
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Mon-Fri.
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| Turnaround Time: |
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Routine: 1 week.
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Specimen Requirements
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| Collection Instructions: |
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BAL: Sterile screw cap container
Blood: 9 mL red top or green top tube
Body Fluid: Sterile screw cap container
CSF: Numbered specimen tube from sterile disposable
lumbar puncture tray
Urine: Sterile screw cap container
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| Volume Required: |
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Preferred: 4 mL
Pediatrics: 2 mL
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| Specimen Processing: |
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Blood: Centrifuge. Transfer cell-free serum to plastic
vial. Refrigerate.
Other specimen types: Refrigerate.
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| Specimen Transport: |
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Transport specimen to laboratory. Transport with coolant pack if coming from outreach location.
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| Unacceptable Criteria: |
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Samples collected in EDTA-lavender top tubes.
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| Stability: |
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Ambient: 7 days
Refrigerated: 30 days
Frozen: Indefinitely
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Interpretation
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| Test Limitations: |
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Cross reactions due to closely related antigenic epitopes are seen in patients with histoplasmosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, and penicilliosis. Rare cross reactions have been seen in patients with aspergillosis and cryptococcosis.
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