Coccidioides DNA detection by PCR
General Information
- Lab Name
- Coccidioides DNA detection by PCR
- Lab Code
- COCDNA
- Epic Ordering
- Coccidioides DNA detection by PCR
- Description
Detection of Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii DNA.
Coccidioides immitis is a pathogenic fungus that resides in the soil in certain parts of the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. C. immitis and a closely related species Coccidioides posadasii, can cause a disease called coccidioidomycosis, and it is also a rare cause of meningitis, mostly in immunocompromised persons.It has been declared a select agent by both the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and is considered a biosafety level 3 pathogen.
Coccidioides PCR detects Coccidioides immitis/posadasii with higher specificity and sensitivity than the broad-range fungal PCR. The analytical sensitivity is 1 genome per PCR reaction.
For more information on this test, to download a requisition form, and for a list of acceptable and unacceptable specimens, please refer to: Molecular Diagnosis Microbiology Section Website
- References
David J. DiCaudo Coccidioidomycosis: A review and update J Am Acad Dermatol 2006;55:929-42
- Synonyms
- Coccidioides detection, Coccidioides identification, Coccidioides PCR, Coccidioides sequencing, Coccidioidiomycosis PCR, Fungal sequencing, molecular Coccidioides, universal PCR, Valley Fever
- Components
-
Interpretation
- Method
DNA extraction, nucleic acid purification, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequencing
- Reference Range
- See individual components
- References
David J. DiCaudo Coccidioidomycosis: A review and update J Am Acad Dermatol 2006;55:929-42
- Guidelines
Ordering & Collection
- Specimen Type
- Tissue (Fresh frozen or paraffin-embedded), Fluid (see Acceptable Specimens for details)
- Collection
-
Acceptable specimens are listed below. Please see this page for complete specimen collection and handling instructions.
Specimens should be collected into a DNA free container labeled with at least two identifiers.
Acceptable Specimens
- Fresh frozen tissue
- Fresh frozen fluid: any body fluid is acceptable if it is not listed under Unacceptable Specimens. See common examples below.
- Formalin Fixed Paraffin-embedded tissues (FFPE, PET): blocks, scrolls, and unstained slides are acceptable
- eSwabs and UTM (universal transport media)
Common acceptable body fluid examples: cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, urine, bronchial lavage, joint fluid, bone marrow, vitreous fluid, etc.
Additional Acceptable Specimens- Sputum
Unacceptable Specimens
- Blood, serum, plasma, stool
- No citrated or heparinized solutions
- No SPS (Sodium Polyanethole Sulfonate) e.g. Wampole Isolator Tubes
- Tissues floating in formalin
- Swab/fluid collected in tube containing agar
- Handling Instructions
Fresh frozen tissue/fluid specimens should be submitted and maintained on dry ice.
Formalin Fixed Paraffin-embedded tissues (FFPE, PET) can be sent ambient or with ice packs during warmer summer months to prevent melting.
Optimal Quantity:- Fresh Tissue: 0.3-1.0 cm^3
- Fluid: 0.2-1 mL
- Formalin Fixed Paraffin-embedded Tissue (FFPE/PET): blocks are preferred and will be sent back to client upon completion of testing
- Scrolls/unstained slides: cross-sectional area >1cm^2 send 10 sections of 10µm thickness, if <1cm^2 send 20 sections if available
Please note: We do not need a separate specimen aliquot for each test ordered. Only a single specimen aliquot or block of optimal quantity is necessary for performing multiple tests. If multiple aliquots or blocks of optimal quantity are sent, up to 2 will be pooled.
- Quantity
-
requested: See Optimal Quantity above
minimum: Specimens below optimal quantity are acceptable for testing, however, diagnostic yield is generally proportional to specimen size.
Processing
- Processing
UWMC/HMC – store and send specimen refrigerated and freeze specimens at -20°C upon arrival in UW-ML Microbiology. If specimen storage and transport will exceed 8 hours, freeze at -20°C.
Freeze specimens at -20°C upon arrival
Outside Laboratories: Freeze specimens in sterile containers at -20°C. Transport all specimens on dry ice.
Performance
- LIS Dept Code
- Micro Molecular Diag (MMD)
- Performing Location(s)
-
UW-MT Microbiology, Molecular Diagnostics
206-520-4600Clinical Lab, Room # NW177,
University of Washington Medical Center,
1959 NE Pacific street, Seattle, WA 98195 - Frequency
- Fresh frozen tissues/fluids result in 2-3 business days after receipt of specimen. Formalin Fixed Paraffin-embedded tissues result in 3-4 business days after receipt of specimen.
- Available STAT?
- No
Billing & Coding
- CPT codes
- 87801
- LOINC
- 48588-8
- Interfaced Order Code
- UOW4444