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Test ID: SHSTO Histoplasma Antibody, Serum

Reporting Name

Histoplasma Ab, S

Useful For

Aiding in the diagnosis of active histoplasmosis using serum specimens

Clinical Information

Histoplasma capsulatum is a soil saprophyte that grows well in soil enriched with bird droppings. The usual disease is self-limited, asymptomatic, and affects the lungs. Chronic cavitary pulmonary disease, disseminated disease, and meningitis may occur and can be fatal, especially in young children and in immunosuppressed patients.

Interpretation

Complement fixation (CF) titer results of 1:32 or higher indicate active disease. A rising CF titer is associated with progressive infection.

 

Positive immunodiffusion test results supplement findings of the CF test. The simultaneous appearance of both H and M precipitin bands indicates active histoplasmosis. The M precipitin band alone indicates early or chronic disease or a recent histoplasmosis skin test.

 

Patients infected with Histoplasma capsulatum demonstrate a serum antibody with a rising titer within 6 weeks of infection. A rising titer is associated with progressive infection. Specific antibody persists for a few weeks to a year, regardless of clinical improvement.

Report Available

2 to 7 days

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Clinical Reference

1. Kaufman L, Kovacs JA, Reiss E: Clinical Immunomycology. In: Rose NR, de Macario ED, Folds JD, Lane HC, Nakamura RM, eds. Manual of Clinical and Laboratory Immunology. 5th ed. ASP Press; 1997

2. Deepe GS: Histoplasma capsulatum histoplasmosis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020:3162-3176

Method Name

Complement Fixation (CF)/Immunodiffusion (ID)

Specimen Type

Serum


Specimen Required


Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into plastic vial.


Specimen Minimum Volume

See Specimen Required

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
  Frozen  14 days

Reference Values

MYCELIAL BY COMPLEMENT FIXATION (CF):

Negative (positives reported as titer)

 

YEAST BY CF:

Negative (positives reported as titer)

 

ANTIBODY BY IMMUNODIFFUSION:

Negative (positives reported as band present)

Test 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

86698 x 3

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
SHSTO Histoplasma Ab, S 90227-0

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
15121 Histoplasma Mycelial 20573-2
15122 Histoplasma Yeast 20574-0
15123 Histoplasma Immunodiffusion 90232-0

Testing Algorithm

For information see Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel Algorithm.

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send Infectious Disease Serology Test Request (T916) with the specimen.

Mayo Clinic Laboratories | Microbiology and Infectious Disease Catalog Additional Information:

mml-immunocompromised