Result Reported
Clinical Utility
A plasma cfDNA assay offers a rapid, noninvasive way to evaluate suspected Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP).
Pneumocystis pneumonia, caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii, is a serious opportunistic fungal pneumonia that primarily affects immunocompromised patients, including transplant recipients, patients with hematologic malignancies, individuals living with HIV, and those receiving immunosuppressive therapies. Early diagnosis is critical because untreated PCP can be life-threatening, yet diagnosis often relies on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), induced sputum, or nonspecific laboratory findings. The FungiFlex® Pneumocystis jirovecii assay uses plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) to provide a rapid, noninvasive approach for detecting Pneumocystis jirovecii from a simple blood sample, supporting the evaluation of patients with suspected PCP.
Specimen Instructions
Sample requirements
- Whole Blood If received by the Zepto laboratory < 24 hours after collection
- Plasma If received by the Zepto laboratory > 24 hours after collection
Sample stability
| Sample type | Temperature | Stability |
|---|---|---|
| Whole Blood | Ambient | Up to 24 hours |
| Plasma | Ambient | Up to 96 hours |
| Frozen Plasma | ≤ −20°C | Up to 4 weeks |
Storage & shipping
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If shipment will be delayed beyond 96 hours, freeze plasma at ≤ −20°C and ship on dry ice.
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All specimens must be accompanied by a Zepto Test Requisition form and labeled with the patient's name, another unique identifier, and collection time.
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Specimens must be triple packaged according to IATA Instruction 650. Ship the specimen using UPS Next Day Air Early or FedEx First Overnight.
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Frozen specimens must be shipped on dry ice inside an appropriate insulated shipping container.