CPT® Code 86698

The CPT® Code 86698 refers to a laboratory test specifically designed to measure antibodies against Histoplasma, a type of fungus, in serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Histoplasma capsulatum is the most common species associated with human infections and is typically found in soil contaminated by bird or bat droppings. When the fungal spores are inhaled, they can lead to an infection that is often asymptomatic and self-limiting, particularly in healthy individuals. However, in vulnerable populations such as young children or those with compromised immune systems, the infection can escalate to more severe conditions, including chronic cavitary pulmonary disease, disseminated histoplasmosis, or meningitis. Common symptoms associated with this infection may include fever, chest pain, a dry cough, and joint pain. To perform this test, a blood sample is collected through a procedure known as venipuncture, which is reported separately. If CSF is required for testing, it is obtained via a lumbar puncture, which is also reported separately. The testing methods for serum may involve qualitative immunodiffusion, while both serum and CSF can be analyzed using semi-quantitative complement fixation techniques.