Laboratory Test Guide

Coccidioides Antibody, for follow-up, CF & ID (Sendout)

General Information

Lab Name

Coccidiodies Ab, For Follow-up, CF & ID (Sendout)

Lab Code

RSCOCC

Epic Name

Coccidiodies Ab, For Follow-up, CF & ID (Sendout)

External Test Id

SCOC

Description

Useful For: Monitoring of coccidioidomycosis using serum specimens.

Ordering Guidance: Follow-up testing for known positives only. Refer to Coccidioides Antibody Initial Screen, Reflex to CF & ID (Sendout) [RCOXIS] for initial diagnostic testing.

References

Mayo Clinic Laboratories Clinical & Interpretive Information: Coccidioides Antibody, Complement Fixation and Immunodiffusion, Serum
Washington State Department of Health Notifiable Conditions: Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever)

Synonyms

Coccidioides antibodies by CF and ID, Coccidioides immitis, Coccidioides posadasii, Coccidioides serology, San Joaquin Valley fever, SCOC, Valley Fever

Components

Code	Name
RSCOCF	Coccidioides Antibody by Complement Fixation
RSCOCG	Coccidioides IgG Antibody by Immunodiffusion
RSCOCM	Coccidioides IgM Antibody by Immunodiffusion

Interpretation

Method

Complement Fixation (CF) and Immunodiffusion (ID)

Reference Range

See individual components

Ref. Range Notes

Reference Values:

Complement Fixation:	Negative	Note: If positive, results are titered.
Immunodiffusion:	Negative	Note: Results are reported as positive, negative, or equivocal.

Interpretation:

Complement Fixation:

Titer results of 1:2 or higher may suggest active disease; however, titers may persist for months after infection has resolved. Increasing complement fixation (CF) titer results in serial specimens are considered diagnostic of active disease.

Immunodiffusion:

The presence of IgM antibodies may be detectable within 2 weeks after the onset of symptoms; however, the antibody may be detected longer than 6 months after infection.

The presence of IgG antibodies parallels the CF antibodies and may suggest an active or a recent asymptomatic infection with Coccidioides immitis/posadasii; however, antibodies may persist after the infection has resolved.

An equivocal result (a band of nonidentity) cannot be interpreted as significant for a specific diagnosis. However, this may be an indication that a patient should be followed serologically.

Over 90% of primary symptomatic cases will be detected by combined immunodiffusion and CF testing.

Interferences and Limitations

Cautions: Antibodies (both IgM and IgG) may be present after the infection has resolved.

Guidelines

Washington DOH Notifiable Conditions

Ordering & Collection

Specimen Type

Blood

Collection

6 mL blood in GOLD SST or RED TOP tube

Handling Instructions

Outside Laboratories: Centrifuge sample and transfer serum to a separate plastic vial. Refrigerate serum.

Stability: Refrigerated (preferred): 14 days; Frozen: 14 days; Ambient: Unacceptable.

Reject Due To: Gross hemolysis, gross lipemia.

Quantity

requested: 1.8 mL serum
minimum: 1.2 mL serum

Processing

Centrifuge sample and transfer serum to a separate plastic vial. Refrigerate serum.

Sendouts:

Order Mayo Test: SCOC.
Interfaced: Yes.