Test Catalog

Test Id : CIMT

Order This Test

Coccidioides immitis/posadasii, Molecular Detection, PCR, Paraffin, Tissue

Download
Overview

Test Catalog

Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Rapid detection of Coccidioides DNA

 

Aiding in the diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis using paraffin-embedded tissue specimens

Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

NY State Available
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.

Yes

Reporting Name
Lists a shorter or abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test

Coccidioides PCR, FFPE

Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching

Cocci

Cocci PCR

San Joaquin Valley Fever

Valley Fever

Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type validated for testing

Tissue, Paraffin

Necessary Information

Specimen source is required.

ORDER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Question ID Description Answers
SRCCI Coccidioides PCR, FFPE, Source

Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing

Preferred Paraffin-embedded tissue block:

Supplies: Tissue Block Container (T553)

Specimen Type: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue block (FFPE)

Sources: Body tissue

Container/Tube: Tissue block

Collection Instructions: Submit a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue block to be cut and returned.

 

Acceptable Paraffin-embedded tissue block:

Specimen Type: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue block (FFPE)

Sources: Body tissue

Container/Tube: Sterile container for each individual cut section (scroll).

Collection Instructions: Perform microtomy and prepare five separate 10-micron sections. Each section (scroll) must be placed in a separate sterile container for submission.

Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of sample necessary to provide a clinically relevant result as determined by the testing laboratory. The minimum volume is sufficient for one attempt at testing.

See Specimen Required.

Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected

Any non-FFPE tissue blocks FFPE bone marrow FFPE slides FFPE body fluids Reject

Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the performing laboratory, alternate acceptable temperatures are also included

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Tissue, Paraffin Ambient (preferred)
Refrigerated

Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Rapid detection of Coccidioides DNA

 

Aiding in the diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis using paraffin-embedded tissue specimens

Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

Coccidioidomycosis is caused by the dimorphic fungi, Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii. These organisms are endemic to the southwestern regions of the United States, northern Mexico, and areas of Central and South America, with recent literature suggests the geographic area of endemicity may be expanding over time.

 

The gold standard for the diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis is culture of the organism from clinical specimens due to its high sensitivity. However, growth in culture may take up to several weeks, which can delay diagnosis and treatment. In addition, the propagation of Coccidioides species in the clinical laboratory is a significant safety hazard to laboratory personnel.

 

This polymerase chain reaction method can identify Coccidioides species directly from clinical specimens, allowing for a rapid diagnosis, and should be used in conjunction with culture. For specimen types such as formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue, culture is not possible, but the molecular test may provide useful information.

Reference Values
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.

Not applicable

Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

A positive result indicates presence of Coccidioides DNA.

 

A negative result indicates absence of detectable Coccidioides DNA.

 

An inhibition result indicates that the detection of Coccidioides DNA is inhibited in this specimen. A new specimen can be resubmitted under a new order, if desired.

Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

This rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay detects Coccidioides nucleic acid and, therefore, does not distinguish between viable, disease-related organisms or nucleic acid persisting from old disease. Test results should be correlated with patient symptoms and clinical presentation before a definitive diagnosis is made.

 

A negative result does not rule out the presence of Coccidioides or active disease because the organism may be present at levels below the limit of detection for this assay.

 

This test does not distinguish between Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii.

 

Formalin fixation has been demonstrated to decrease the sensitivity of PCR. Therefore, a negative PCR result from fixed tissue should be interpreted with caution if the clinical presentation is suggestive of coccidioidomycosis.

Supportive Data

The sensitivity and specificity of the assay testing 148 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens was 73.4% and 100% respectively.

 

The limit of detection of the assay was determined to be between 1 and 10 copies of target/microliter (<50 copies of target/reaction). The analytic specificity of the assay was determined by performing a Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) search of the primer and probe sequences on the National Center for Biotechnology Information website (http://www.ncbi.nml.nig.gov). In addition, an extensive panel of nucleic acid extracted from 114 potentially cross-reacting organisms including fungi, bacteria, mycobacteria, viruses, and human DNA was tested. The assay did not demonstrate cross-reactivity with any of the organisms included in the specificity panel.

Clinical Reference
Recommendations for in-depth reading of a clinical nature

1. Vucicevic D, Blair JE, Binnicker MJ, et al: The utility of Coccidioides polymerase chain reaction testing in the clinical setting. Mycopathologia. 2010 Nov;170(5):345-351

2. Hartmann CA, Aye WT, Blair JE: Treatment considerations in pulmonary coccidioidomycosis. 2016 Oct;10(10):1079-1091

Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference

Following specimen processing, nucleic acids are extracted, and the extract transferred to individual self-contained cuvettes for amplification using the LightCycler real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) platform (Roche Applied Sciences). The LightCycler is an automated instrument that amplifies and monitors the development of target nucleic acid (amplicon) after each cycle of PCR. The detection of amplicon is based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer, which utilizes hybridization probes. The presence of the specific organism nucleic acid is confirmed by performing a melting curve analysis of the amplicon.(Binnicker MJ, Buckwalter SP, Eisberner JJ, et al: Detection of Coccidioides species in clinical specimens by real-time PCR. J Clin Microbiol 2007;45:173-178)

PDF Report
Indicates whether the report includes an additional document with charts, images or other enriched information

No

Day(s) Performed
Outlines the days the test is performed. This field reflects the day that the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means that assays are performed multiple times during the day.

Monday through Sunday

Report Available
The interval of time (receipt of sample at Mayo Clinic Laboratories to results available) taking into account standard setup days and weekends. The first day is the time that it typically takes for a result to be available. The last day is the time it might take, accounting for any necessary repeated testing.

5 to 7 days

Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded

7 days; after which time the block will be returned to the client

Performing Laboratory Location
Indicates the location of the laboratory that performs the test

Rochester

Fees
Several factors determine the fee charged to perform a test. Contact your U.S. or International Regional Manager for information about establishing a fee schedule or to learn more about resources to optimize test selection.

  • Authorized users can sign in to Test Prices for detailed fee information.
  • Clients without access to Test Prices can contact Customer Service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Prospective clients should contact their account representative. For assistance, contact Customer Service.

Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR) product.

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Clinic Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.

CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.

87798

LOINC® Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the order and results codes of this test. LOINC values are provided by the performing laboratory.

Test Id Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
CIMT Coccidioides PCR, FFPE 95913-0
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.
SRCCI Coccidioides PCR, FFPE, Source 31208-2
CIRR Coccidioides PCR, FFPE, Result 95913-0

Test Setup Resources

Setup Files
Test setup information contains test file definition details to support order and result interfacing between Mayo Clinic Laboratories and your Laboratory Information System.

Excel | Pdf

Sample Reports
Normal and Abnormal sample reports are provided as references for report appearance.

Normal Reports | Abnormal Reports

SI Sample Reports
International System (SI) of Unit reports are provided for a limited number of tests. These reports are intended for international account use and are only available through MayoLINK accounts that have been defined to receive them.

SI Normal Reports | SI Abnormal Reports