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Test Code PCPF Pneumocystis Assay

Infectious

Specimen and Container/Tube

Specimen Type: BAL, sputum, lung tissue

Preferred Specimen: Sterile, sealable, screw-cap container

Volume

Minimum Volume: 

BAL: 0.5 mL

Sputum: 3 mL

Lung tissue: 1 cm

Specimen Stability

Storage Temperature

Stability

Room temperature

(20 - 25°C)

 not acceptable

Refrigerated

(2 - 10°C)

 24 hours

Frozen

(-20°C)

not acceptable

Collection Instructions

Specimen Collection: 

 

BAL: Aspirate through inner chamber at bronchoscopy

 

Sputum: Rinse mouth or gargle with water to remove excess oral flora. Patient must cough deeply. At least one first morning specimen is recommended

 

Lung tissue: Surgically obtained


Specimen Transport: Immediate.

Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions

UCMC Onsite Instructions: Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately. 

 

UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions: Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately. If transport is delayed, refrigerate specimens prior to transport.

Rejection Criteria

  • Common specimen rejected situations include: incorrect specimen type, insufficient volume, incorrect collection container, missing or incomplete specimen identifiers, incorrect specimen transport, or specimens outside stability limits. 

Reference Values

 

Test

Age

Sex

Reference Range

Stain

All

All

Negative

Critical Values

Test

 Result

Stain

Positive

Turnaround Time

Turnaround times are relative to the time the specimen is received in the test laboratory. 

STAT Turnaround Time: not available

Routine Turnaround Time: up to 6 weeks

Testing Schedule: Monday - Sunday

Clinical Indications

  • Infection of Pneumocystis jirovecii

CPT Codes

87281, 87015

LOINC Codes

30687281, 30687015

Methodology

Direct Fluorescent Antibody stain

Synonyms/Keyword Search

Acid Fast Bacilli, Mycobacteria Culture, Tuberculosis, PNEUMOCYSTIS, PCP

Last Review Date

08/15/2025