CRYPTOCOCCAL ANTIGEN DETECTION Mnemonic CNEO AG Synonym Crypto-LA - India Ink Prep Guidelines This order is more appropriate and more sensitive than India Ink prep or fungal smear for the detection of Cryptococcus neoformans. Specimen Collection Requirements Patient Preparation Decontaminate draw site with scrub/prep, use aseptic techniques. Collect Serum: One 5.0 mL gold (SST) or one 7.0 mL red top tube CSF: One sterile, spill proof container Handling Place specimen in sterile container and refrigerate. Preferred Volume 1.0 mL CSF or Serum (2.5 mL whole blood) Minimum Volume 0.5 mL CSF or Serum (1.5 mL whole blood) Transport Refrigerated at 2-8°C Rejection Criteria Severely hemolyzed serum or any specimen collected in an anticoagulant Stability Ambient: 2 hours; Refrigerated: 72 hours; Frozen: Indefinite Testing Information Performed 7 days/week Reported 24 hours Method Immunochromatographic assay Reference Values Reference Values Negative Critical Values Positive for Cryptococcus Comments Positive tests will be titered and the end point reported to a maximum of 1:2,048, unless further titration is specially requested. CPT Codes 87327 Last Updated: Thursday, March 14, 2019 12:50:33 PM Client Services: 503-413-1234