Detecting antibodies to Coccidioides immitis/posadasii
This assay should not be used for monitoring response to therapy.
Alongside other routine laboratory testing, including fungal culture, this test may be used as an aid for the diagnosis of infection with Coccidioides species.
Test Id | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
---|---|---|---|
RSCOC | Coccidioides Ab, CompF/ImmDiff,S | Yes, (order SCOC) | No |
If result is reactive, then Coccidioides by complement fixation and immunodiffusion will be performed at an additional charge.
For more information see Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel Algorithm.
COXIS: Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA)
RSCOC: Complement Fixation (CF)/Immunodiffusion (ID)
Cocci
Coccidioides immitis
Coccidioides posadasii
Coccidioides, Serum
Fungal Serology
San Joaquin Valley Fever
COXIS
If result is reactive, then Coccidioides by complement fixation and immunodiffusion will be performed at an additional charge.
For more information see Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel Algorithm.
Serum
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 2 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into plastic vial.
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send Infectious Disease Serology Test Request (T916) with the specimen.
1.7 mL
Gross hemolysis | Reject |
Gross lipemia | Reject |
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days | |
Frozen | 14 days |
Detecting antibodies to Coccidioides immitis/posadasii
This assay should not be used for monitoring response to therapy.
If result is reactive, then Coccidioides by complement fixation and immunodiffusion will be performed at an additional charge.
For more information see Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel Algorithm.
Coccidioidomycosis (valley fever, San Joaquin Valley fever, desert rheumatism) is caused by the dimorphic fungus Coccidioides immitis/posadasii, which is found in the Southwestern US, regions in the Northwestern US, and in Central and South America. It is acquired by inhalation of airborne Coccidioides arthroconidia. The majority of infections are subclinical. Among symptomatic patients, the majority will present acute flulike, pulmonary symptoms approximately 7 to 28 days post exposure. Symptoms may include chest pain, cough, fever, malaise, and lymphadenopathy.(1) A rash often develops within a couple of days, followed by erythema nodosum or multiforme with accompanying arthralgia. A pulmonary lesion or nodule may develop months following infection and may be a source of infection if the patient becomes immunosuppressed in the future. Coccidioidomycosis may disseminate beyond the lungs to involve multiple organs including the meninges. Individuals at greater risk for dissemination include African Americans, patients of Filipino descent, pregnant women, and immunocompromised patients.(2)
Serologic testing for coccidioidomycosis should be considered when patients exhibit symptoms of pulmonary or meningeal infection and have lived or traveled in areas where C immitis/posadasii is endemic. Any history of exposure to the organism or travel cannot be overemphasized when a diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis is being considered.
Negative
Reference value applies to all ages
Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) results greater than or equal to 0.75 will be reported as Reactive: Confirmatory testing by complement fixation and immunodiffusion has been ordered.
A reactive result is presumptive evidence that the patient was previously or is currently infected with Coccidioides immitis/posadasii.
EIA results less than 0.75 will be reported as Negative: Repeat testing on a new sample in 2 to 3 weeks if clinically indicated.
A negative result indicates the absence of antibodies to C immitis/posadasii. It is presumptive evidence that the patient has not been previously exposed to, and is not infected with, Coccidioides. However, a negative result does not preclude the diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis as the specimen may have been collected before antibody levels were detectable, due to early acute infection or immunosuppression.
This test is designed for the qualitative detection of both IgM- and IgG-class antibodies against antigens from Coccidioides. The report will not indicate which class of antibody is present.
All results from this assay must be correlated with clinical history, epidemiologic data, and other laboratory evidence.
Reactive results from this assay are not indicative of acute infection. Antibodies may be present from previous infection with Coccidioides immitis/posadasii.
Negative results may occur in patients with acute coccidioidomycosis in whom antibody levels have not yet become detectable.
Rarely, cross reactivity of the Coccidioides antibody screen may occur in patients infected with other dimorphic fungal agents, including Histoplasma and Blastomyces. Therefore, all positive results must be confirmed by complement fixation and immunodiffusion.
1. Thompson GR 3rd: Pulmonary coccidioidomycosis. Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2011;32(6):754-763
2. Ruddy BE, Mayer AP, Ko MG, et al. Coccidioidomycosis in African Americans. Mayo Clin Proc. 2011;86(1):63-69
3. Crum NF. Coccidioidomycosis: a contemporary review. Infect Dis Ther. 2022;11(2):713-742. doi:10.1007/s40121-022-00606-y
Microwells are coated with recombinant Coccidioides complement fixing (CF) and tube precipitin (TP) antigens. Diluted serum specimens and controls are incubated in the wells, and if present, antibodies to TP and CF will bind to the adhered antigen. Nonspecific reactants are removed by washing; peroxidase-conjugated, secondary antihuman antibody is then applied to the wells and incubated. The conjugated secondary antibody will bind to the patient antibodies. Substrate solution is added to the wells, activating the peroxidase conjugate to develop a color reaction. Stop solution is added and the color change is quantified by measuring the optical density.(Package insert: clarus Cocci AB EIA. Immy; Revision 03/06/2020)
Monday through Friday
This test has been modified from the manufacturer's instructions. Its performance characteristics were determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
86635
86635 x3 (if appropriate)
Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
COXIS | Coccidioides Ab Screen w/Reflex, S | 40712-2 |
Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
---|---|---|
COXQ2 | Coccidioides Ab Screen, S | 40712-2 |