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 gStoolEcoFix fixative AmbientSpecimen preserved in Ecofix vial.

Alternate Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
5 gStoolOther  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
AmbientPreserved: 2 months; Unpreserved: 6 hours
FrozenPreserved: Unacceptable; Unpreserved: Unacceptable
RefrigeratedPreserved: 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.