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Test Code Billings Clinic: 4885 Streptococcus pneumoniae Antigen, Culture, and Gram Stain, Spinal Fluid

Performing Laboratory

Billings Clinic Laboratory: Microbiology

Useful For

This assay qualitatively detects the presence of Streptococcus pneumoniae antigen in spinal fluid specimens from patients with symptoms of pneumonia. It is intended as an aid in the presumptive diagnosis of Streptococcus infection in conjunction with culture and other methods.

Methodology

  • Gram stain: optical
  • Rapid Immunochromatographic Assay

 

Specimen Requirements

Specimen must arrive as soon as possible due to some organisms being very fastidious. Call Billings Clinic Laboratory at 866-232-2522 to discuss the best specimen transport.

  1. Spinal fluid should be collected by a physician trained in this procedure.
  2. Submit 3 mL of spinal fluid in a screw-capped, sterile vial.
  3. Label vial with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
  4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.
  5. Do not refrigerate.
  6. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.
  7. Patients who have received the Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccine may test positive in the 48 hours following vaccination.
  8. Specimens from patients taking antibiotics for more than 24 hours may cause a false-negative result.

Reference Values

  • Antigen: Negative
  • Culture: No growth
  • Automatic call-back:  any positive

Day(s) Test Set Up

Daily

Test Classification and CPT Coding

CPT Code:

87076 - definitive identification, anaerobic; each isolate
87077 - definitive identification, aerobic; each isolate
87186 - MIC; each isolate
87205 - Gram stain
87449 - infectious agent antigen; each organism

87070 - isolation and presumptive identification of isolates (anaerobic culture if appropriate)


Microbiology Coding:

Proper coding for MICROBIOLOGY tests depends on what procedures are actually performed which may depend on the organism(s) isolated. When a culture is initially set up, organism(s) may be isolated and a presumptive identification takes place. When/if an organism(s) grows, a definitive identification and possible MIC of each organism may be indicated.

Profile/Testing Information

Reflex Information:

  • This test may automatically reflex to other tests. An additional fee may be added.
  • The ordering physician/provider must indicate if the reflex test is NOT DESIRED. Indicate on order if no reflex test is desired.