Cryptosporidia Examination
Test Mnemonic
CRYSPO
CPT Codes
- 87015 - QTY (1)
- 87207 - QTY (1)
LOINC ®
20781-1
Aliases
- Cyclospora Examination
- Cystoisospora Examination
- Ova and parasite for Cryptosporidia
Includes
- Modified Acid Fast Stain only. If antigen testing is needed, order the Ova and Parasite Screen (OVAPSC)
Performing Laboratory
Cleveland Clinic Laboratories
Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 g | Stool | EcoFix fixative | Ambient | Specimen preserved in Ecofix vial. |
Alternate Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 g | Stool | Other | Specimen preserved in 10% formalin or SAF. Unpreserved specimen collected in a clean container. Unpreserved specimens must be delivered within 6 hours of collection. |
Minimum Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 g |
Stability
| Environmental Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Ambient | Preserved: 2 months; Unpreserved: 6 hours |
| Frozen | Preserved: Unacceptable; Unpreserved: Unacceptable |
| Refrigerated | Preserved: 2 months; Unpreserved: 6 hours |
Days Performed
Mon - Fri
Turnaround Time
1 - 7 days
Methodology
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Modified Acid Fast Stain |
Reference Range
| Cryptosporidia Examination | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sex | Age From | Age To | Type | Range | Range Unit |
| Negative for Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora and Isospora sp. | |||||
| Cryptosporidium Result | |||||
| Sex | Age From | Age To | Type | Range | Range Unit |
| ~ | Negative for Cryptosporidium. | ||||
| Cyclospora Result | |||||
| Sex | Age From | Age To | Type | Range | Range Unit |
| ~ | Negative for Cyclospora. | ||||
| Cystoisospora Result | |||||
| Sex | Age From | Age To | Type | Range | Range Unit |
| ~ | Negative for Cystoisospora. |
Special Info
Testing performed only on stool specimens. Do not send swabs. Ecofix preserved stool is preferred. Fresh specimens must be less than 6 hours old. Patient Preparation: No administration of barium, bismuth, psyllium (Metamucil), castor oil, mineral oil, or administration of antiamoebic drugs within one week prior to the test. Positive Cryptosporidium results are confirmed with microscopy after concentration of the specimen. CPT codes that may apply include: 87015, 87206, 87207.
Clinical Info
Average TAT for this test is 34 hrs. The Cryptosporidium test uses microscopic staining methods (Modified Acid Fast) to rule out infection due to Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, and Cystoisospora sp. in stool. Infection with these agents generally occurs through ingestion of contaminated water or food and causes diarrhea. Immunocompromised patients are more susceptible to infection. One negative result does not rule out the possibility of infection.