Coccidioides complement fixation
Key points
- Coccidioides complement fixation is a test to determine the presence of antibodies to the fungus coccidioidomycosis by a specific serologic technique.
- Blood is drawn from a vein on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand.
- The preparation you can provide for this test depends on your child's age and experience.
- This test is used to detect infection with the fungus coccidioidomycosis, which can cause lung or widespread (disseminated) infection.
Alternative names
Coccidioides antibody test
Definition
Coccidioides complement fixation is a test to determine the presence of antibodies to the fungus coccidioidomycosis by a specific serologic technique.
How the test is performed
Blood is drawn from a vein on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic, and an elastic band is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and restrict blood flow through the vein. This causes veins below the band to fill with blood.
A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the band is removed to restore circulation. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
For an infant or young child, the area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. Cotton or a bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any continued bleeding.
Serology refers to the study of serum (the fluid portion of blood) for its antibody content. An antibody defends the body against bacteria, viruses, fungus, or other foreign bodies (antigens). Certain microbial cells stimulate the body to produce these antibodies during an active infection. Antibody production increases during the course of an infection.
In the initial stage of an illness, few antibodies may be detected. For this reason, serology tests are often repeated 10 days to 2 weeks after the initial sample. In the laboratory, the antibodies react with antigens in specific ways that can be used to confirm the identity of a specific microorganism.
There are several serology techniques that can be used depending on the suspected antibodies. Serology techniques include agglutination, precipitation, complement-fixation, fluorescent antibodies, and others.
How to prepare for the test
There is no special preparation for the test.
For infants and children:
The preparation you can provide for this test depends on your child's age and experience. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics:
- Infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)
- Toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)
- Preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)
Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
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