Acanthamoeba species Molecular Detection, PCR, Ocular
Test Mnemonic
ACARPO
CPT Codes
- 87798 - QTY (1)
Includes
- Acanthamoeba species PCR
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Dpt of Lab Med & Pathology
Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 mm square | Eye | Sterile container | Refrigerated | Specimen source required. Submit 5 - 10 mm fresh eye tissue in a sterile container with 1 mL of sterile saline, minimal essential media (MEM), or viral transport media. |
Alternate Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swab | Eye | Sterile container | Refrigerated | Specimen source required. Ocular or cornea. Do not use wooden shafted swabs or calcium alginate-tipped swabs. Swabs are not the preferred collection device for this test due to their limited sensitivity in recovering free living amoeba, which may yield false-negative results. | |
| 1 mL | Eye | Sterile container | Refrigerated | Specimen source required. Ocular or cornea scrapings. Collect scrapings using a scalpel or other sharp device to remove the outer layer of cells from the eye. Swish the collection device in 1 mL of sterile saline, minimal essential media (MEM), or viral transport media. Remove the collection device from the collection container before submitting to the lab. Minimum 0.5mL | |
| One | Other | Sterile container | Refrigerated | Specimen source required. Contact lens. Indicate Right or Left in the specimen source. Place entire contact lens in a sterile container with 1 mL sterile saline, viral transport media, or minimal essential media (MEM). Additional contact lens must be ordered and submitted separately. | |
| One | Other | Sterile container | Specimen source required. Contact lens case (without lens). Indicate Right or Left chamber in the specimen source. If right and left chambers are separate and both must be tested, separate orders must be submitted. |
Stability
| Environmental Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Refrigerated | 7 days |
| Frozen | 7 days |
| Ambient | Unacceptable |
Days Performed
Mon - Sat
Turnaround Time
3 - 4 days
Methodology
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| DNA Probe Hybridization | |
| Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) |
Reference Range
Special Info
Specimen source is required. Calcium alginate-tipped swabs, wood swabs, swabs sent in gel, specimens containing scalpel blades, and unstained slides will be rejected. This test is New York State approved.
Clinical Info
This test is useful in the diagnosis of amebic keratitis in conjunction with clinical findings. A positive result indicates the presence of Acanthamoeba species DNA and is consistent with active or recent infection. While positive results are highly specific indicators of disease, they should be correlated with symptoms, clinical findings, radiologic features, or confocal ophthalmologic examination.
Clinical Limitation
Testing should not be performed on asymptomatic individuals. Acanthamoeba species DNA may be detectable for an unknown period of time after adequate treatment.