Fungal Plus PCR Profile II (Aspergillus Panel, Mucorales, Nocardia, Pneumocystis jiroveci)
Aspergillus
Inhaled dormant Aspergillus spores (conidia) can germinate and cause invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, a disease with a mortality rate often exceeding 50%. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is seen primarily in the immunocompromised host. Standard laboratory techniques for the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis include direct examination, lung tissue histology and culture of respiratory secretions. Under the best of circumstances, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid analysis yields a diagnosis by culture and direct exam in only approximately 50% of cases. However, some centers have shown that the rate of diagnosis is substantially lower using these techniques.
The Aspergillus PCR panel is comprised of 3 real-time PCR assays: a Pan-Aspergillus assay that detects all Aspergillus species, an A. fumigatus assay that detects the most common Aspergillus species, and an A. terreus assay that detects a clinically important Aspergillus species that is resistant to Amphotericin B. When used in conjunction with other diagnostic procedures, such as microbiological culture, Aspergillus Galactomannan EIA, Fungitell® ß-D Glucan, histological examination of biopsy specimens, and radiographic evidence, the Aspergillus PCR panel can be useful in the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.
Mucorales
Real-time PCR detection of Mucorales (also referred to as Zygomycetes) DNA in BAL and tissue samples may aid in diagnosis of invasive fungal infection (IFI) in high risk populations. High risk patients include those with neutropenia, solid organ transplant, hematopoietic stem cell transplant, cancer, diabetes and skin trauma. Difficult to differentiate from other filamentous fungi, mucormycosis has been found to have mortality rates in excess of 50%, depending on patient population and presentation. Further, Mucorales demonstrates limited susceptibility to a variety of antifungal therapies including Voriconazole. Early diagnosis of Mucorales has been associated with improved patient outcomes.
The use of Mucorales PCR in BAL has shown superior sensitivity over culture samples from animal models of infection and various publications indicate performance in human specimens (e.g. 100% sensitivity in biopsy tissue, 100% sensitivity established in fresh tissue samples that were culture negative, and 100% specificity in control tissue samples). The number of published studies utilizing BAL (15 studies) and biopsy (>1300) are significantly higher than any other specimen type, the next most often cited being upper respiratory specimens (n=3).
Nocardia
Standard laboratory techniques for the diagnosis of nocardiosis include culture and anti-microbial sensitivity testing for species with clinical significance, as many of the organisms are resistant to antibiotics. Nocardiosis diagnosis is often overlooked due to the length of time the isolates take to grow. Identification of Nocardia species by PCR will allow for a more rapid turnaround time enabling physicians to know to treat specifically for Nocardia rather than another bacteria.
Pneumocystis jiroveci
Pneumocystis jiroveci (formerly known as Pneumocystis carinii) pneumonia is a major cause of illness and death in individuals with impaired immune systems. Pneumocystis almost always affects the lungs, causing a form of pneumonia referred to as PCP. The organism that causes PCP has been renamed Pneumocystis jiroveci to reflect its new classification as a fungus. Quantitative DNA PCR is useful to detect the organism, track the course of infection, and monitor response to treatment.
Procedure
Extraction of pathogen DNA from specimen followed by amplification and detection using real-time, quantitative PCR. An internal control is added to ensure the extraction was performed correctly and the PCR reaction was not inhibited. This test has not been cleared or approved for diagnostic use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
SpecificitySee individual assays.
Same day (within 12 - 24 hours from receipt of specimen), Monday through Saturday.
Specimen Type | Test Code | CPT Code | NY Approved | Volume | Assay Range | Special Instructions |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BAL | PFL8006 | 87798 x5, 87799 | Yes | 3.0 mL (1.5 mL) |
Detected/Not Detected result for each pathogen in the profile. |
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Ship Monday through Friday. Friday shipments must be labeled for Saturday delivery. All specimens must be labeled with patient's name and collection date. A Eurofins Viracor test requisition form must accompany each specimen. Multiple tests can be run on one specimen. Ship specimens FedEx Priority Overnight® to: Eurofins Viracor, 18000 W 99th St. Ste, #10, Lenexa, KS 66219.
Causes for RejectionRespiratory sample received in trap, specimen received outside stability, insufficient specimen volume and specimen types other than those listed.
Specimens are approved for testing in New York only when indicated in the Specimen Information field above.
The CPT codes provided are based on Eurofins Viracor's interpretation of the American Medical Association's Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes and are provided for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Questions regarding coding should be addressed to your local Medicare carrier. Eurofins Viracor assumes no responsibility for billing errors due to reliance on the CPT codes illustrated in this material.
ReferencesSee individual assays.