Sorted By Test Name - Mayo Medical Laboratories

CCRYP
86166
CRYPF
60320
in serum specimens in most cases of CNS or disseminated disease. In addition, the LA assay will detect
the antigen in approximately 30% of infected patients who are asymptomatic. Disseminated infection is
usually accompanied by a positive serum test. Higher titers appear to correlate with more severe
infections. Declining titers may indicate regression of infection. However, monitoring titers to
cryptococcal antigen should not be used as a test of cure, as low level titers may persist for extended
periods of time following appropriate therapy and the resolution of infection, as measured by smear and
culture.
Reference Values:
Negative
Clinical References: 1. Warren NG, Hazen KC: Candida, Cryptococcus, and other yeasts of medical
importance. In Manual of Clinical Microbiology. 7th edition. Edited by PR Murray. Washington, DC,
ASM Press, 1999, pp 1184-1199 2. Lu H, Zhou Y, Yin Y, et al: Cryptococcal antigen test revisited:
significance for cryptococcal meningitis therapy monitoring in a tertiary Chinese hospital. J Clin
Microbiol 2005 June;43(6):2989-2990
Cryptococcus Antigen Screen, Spinal Fluid
Clinical Information: Cryptococcosis is an invasive fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus
neoformans. The organism has been isolated from several sites in nature, particularly weathered pigeon
droppings. Infection is thought to be acquired primarily via the pulmonary route. Patients are often
unaware of any unusual exposure history. Approximately half of the patients with symptomatic disease
have a predisposing immunosuppressive condition such as AIDS, steroid therapy, lymphoma, or
sarcoidosis. Symptoms may include fever, headache, dizziness, ataxia, somnolence, and cough. In
addition to the lungs, cryptococcal infections frequently involve the central nervous system (CNS),
particularly in patients infected with HIV. Mortality in CNS cryptococcosis may approach 25% despite
antibiotic therapy. Untreated CNS cryptococcosis is invariably fatal. Disseminated disease may affect any
organ system and usually occurs in immunosuppressed individuals.
Useful For: Aiding in the diagnosis of cryptococcosis
Interpretation: The presence of cryptococcal antigen in any body fluid (serum or cerebrospinal fluid
[CSF]) is indicative of cryptococcosis. Specimens that are positive or equivocal by EIA are automatically
reflexed to a latex agglutination test for confirmation. Higher titers appear to correlate with more severe
infections. Declining titers may indicate regression of infection. However, monitoring titers to
cryptococcal antigen should not be used as a test of cure, as low level titers may persist for extended
periods of time following appropriate therapy and the resolution of infection as measured by smear and
culture.
Reference Values:
Negative
Clinical References: 1. Warren NG, Hazen KC: Candida, Cryptococcus, and other yeasts of medical
importance. In Manual of Clinical Microbiology. 7th edition. Edited by PR Murray. Washington, DC,
ASM Press, 1999, pp 1184-1199 2. Lu H, Zhou Y, Yin Y, et al: Cryptococcal antigen test revisited:
significance for cryptococcal meningitis therapy monitoring in a tertiary Chinese hospital. J Clin
Microbiol 2005 June;43(6):2989-2990
Cryptococcus Antigen, Pleural Fluid
Clinical Information: Cryptococcosis is an invasive fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus
neoformans. The organism has been isolated from several sites in nature, particularly weathered pigeon
droppings. Infection is usually acquired via the pulmonary route. Patients are often unaware of any
exposure history. Approximately half of the patients with symptomatic disease have a predisposing
immunosuppressive condition such as AIDS, steroid therapy, lymphoma, or sarcoidosis. Symptoms may
include fever, headache, dizziness, ataxia, somnolence, and cough. In addition to the lungs, cryptococcal
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