Co-Testing Serum & Urine Antigen is Key to Accurate & Timely Histoplasmosis Diagnosis

Combined serum and urine antigen testing is more effective than urine testing alone. Antigen testing for both serum AND urine provides the highest sensitivity for histoplasmosis diagnosis. Urine can be antigen negative in patients with disseminated or diffuse pulmonary histoplasmosis.

Learn about the MiraVista Diagnostics MVista® Histoplasma Quantitative Ag EIA and the benefits of incorporating Histo Ag testing into your diagnostic protocol for histoplasmosis.
ALERT: Antigen May Be Negative in Confirmed Histoplasmosis Cases
Urine may test negative for histoplasma antigen, and serum may be positive.

CASE REPORT

A patient with ulcerative colitis treated with TNF blocker therapy presented with respiratory symptoms but denied fever or weight loss. CT chest scans showed numerous parenchymal and pleural-based nodules with extensive mediastinal and bilateral hilar adenopathy. The urine tested negative for histoplasma antigen, but the serum antigen tested positive (2.89 µg/ml) using the MVista Histoplasma Galactomannan Antigen. [Test developed and performed at MiraVista Diagnostics]

Be Aware of Complicating Factors That Impact Accurate & Timely Histoplasmosis Diagnosis

• Antibodies may be negative for up to 8 weeks after exposure
• Antibodies can remain positive for up to 5 years after infection
• Urine antigen may be negative and serum may be positive
• Initial antigen & antibody may be negative, while subsequent tests are positive. Re-testing may be required to establish accurate diagnosis.

KNOW THE RISKS: Clinical Outcomes of Histoplasmosis in Immunocompromised Patients
Accurate diagnosis and treatment are critical to prevent hospitalization and mortality especially in immunocompromised patients.

Download MiraVista Diagnostics’ full briefing on Co-Testing Serum & Urine Antigen for Improved Histoplasmosis Diagnosis.