Test ID: SPN
Pneumocystis Smear
NY State Approved 
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Diagnosis of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia
Method Name A short description of the method used to perform the test
Calcofluor White Fluorochrome Stain
Reporting Name A shorter/abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test; an abbreviated test name
Aliases Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
Pneumocystis carinii smear
Pneumocystis jiroveci smear
Specimen Type Describes the specimen type needed for testing
Specimen Required Defines the optimal specimen. This field describes the type of specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing. The volume allows automated processing, fastest throughput and, when indicated, repeat or reflex testing.
Forms: If not ordering electronically, submit a Microbiology Request Form (Supply T244) with the specimen.
Specimen source is required.
Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
Preferred:
Specimen Type: Bronchoalveolar lavage
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: Minimum of 2 mL
Specimen Type: Lung or open lung tissue
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: Minimum of a rice size piece
Collection Instructions: Tissue should be placed in small amount of sterile saline or sterile water.
Alternate:
Specimen Type: Bronchial washing, sputum, or tracheal secretion
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: Minimum of 1 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume Defines the amount of specimen required to perform an assay once, including instrument and container dead space. Submitting the minimum specimen volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory or perform reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum specimen volume may result in a QNS (quantity not sufficient) result, requiring a second specimen to be collected.
Brochoalveolar lavage: 2mL
Sputum, bronchial washings, and tracheal secretions: 1 mL
Lung tissue and open lung biopsy: rice-sized piece of tissue
Reject Due To Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Hemolysis | NA |
| Lipemia | NA |
| Icterus | NA |
| Other | Fixed tissue; viral transport media (including but not limited to M4, M5, BD viral transport media, thioglycolate broth); wood shaft or charcoal swab |
Specimen Stability Information Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the laboratory. Alternate acceptable temperature(s) are also included.
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Varies | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days |
| Ambient | 7 days |
Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Pneumocystis jiroveci is one of the major microbial pathogens associated with opportunistic pulmonary infections in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy or with immune deficiencies. Presently, the most common means to diagnose Pneumocystis jiroveci infection is by microscopic detection of the organisms in specimens such as bronchoalveolar lavage, open lung biopsy tissue, induced sputum and transtracheal aspirate.
Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
Negative
Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
Negative: no cysts observed
Positive: cysts present
Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
Only the cyst stage of Pneumocystis jiroveci stains by this method
Clinical Reference Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
1. Olsson M, Elvin K, Linder E, et al: Pneumocystis carinii is still a dangerous opportunist. The infection is continuously a threat to immunocompromised patients. Review 60 refs Swedish Journal Article. Review, Tutorial Lakartidningen 1999 Jan27;96(4):328-331
2. Shelhamer JH, Gill VJ, Quinn TC, et al: The laboratory evaluation of opportunistic pulmonary infections. Review 94 refs Consensus Development Conference, NIH. Journal Article. Review Annals of Internal Medicine 1996 Mar 15;124(6):585-599
3. Kim YK, Parulekar S, Yu PK, et al: Evaluation of Calcofluor white stain for detection of Pneumocystis carinii. Diagn Microbio Infect Dis 1990;13:307-310; Baselski VS, Robison MK, Pifer LW, Woods DR: Rapid detection of Pneumocystis carinii in bronchoalveolar lavage samples by using Cellufluor staining. J Clin Microbiol 1990;28:393-394
Method Description Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
A rapid Calcofluor white stain is used to detect the cysts of Pneumocystis jiroveci (formerly carinii). Calcofluor white is a nonspecific fluorochrome stain that binds with beta-configuration polysaccharides such as cellulose and chitin. Only the cyst stage of Pneumocystis jiroveci (formerly carinii ) stains by this method. Both the 2 internal structures and cyst wall must be seen before calling the slide positive for Pneumocystis jiroveci.
Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed Outlines the days and times the test is performed. This field reflects the day and time the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time required before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means assays are performed several times during the day.
Monday through Sunday; Continuously
Analytic Time Defines the amount of time it takes the laboratory to setup and perform the test. This is defined in number of days. The shortest interval of time expressed is "same day/1 day," which means the results may be available the same day that the sample is received in the testing laboratory. One day means results are available 1 day after the sample is received in the laboratory.
Maximum Laboratory Time Defines the maximum time from specimen receipt at Mayo Medical Laboratories until the release of the test result
Specimen Retention Time Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location The location of the laboratory that performs the test
Test Classification Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer's instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR), Investigation Use Only (IUO) product, or a Research Use Only (RUO) product.
CPT Code Information Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Medical Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
87206
LOINC® Code Information Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the result codes returned for this test or profile.
| Result ID | Reporting Name | LOINC Code |
|---|---|---|
| SPN | Pneumocystis smear | In Process |
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