80050:ACANTHAMOEBA SMEAR AND CULTURE

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80050:ACANTHAMOEBA SMEAR AND CULTURE
Alias Names: Acanathamoeba / Naegleria Species
Methodology: Direct Wet Prep/Culture
Edit Date: 9/30/2010
Performed: Daily
Released: 9 days after setup at PeaceHealth Laboratories’ reference lab
CPT Code: 87081-90
Specimen Collection Details
Collection: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or corneal scrapings
Handling: Touch corneal scrapings to a glass slide. PeaceHealth Laboratories will fix slide in methanol for 10-15 seconds.
Standard Volume: 1 mL CSF
Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL CSF
Transport: Ambient
Comments: Useful for diagnosis of Acanthamoeba species and Naegleria fowleri in the central nervous system (CNS) or eye. The free-living amoebae are ubiquitous in the environment, and may be found in soil and fresh water sources. Naegleria fowleri may enter the central nervous system during exposure to infected water and cause a fulminant meningitis in previously healthy individuals. In contrast, Acanthamoeba species and Balamuthis mandrillaris cause chronic granulomatous encephalitis in immunocompromised (and rarely, immunocompetent) adults, and typically disseminate to the CNS from a primary lung or skin source.
Rejection Criteria: Slides incorrectly prepared.

PeaceHealth Laboratories