CPT® Code 87335

Infectious agent antigen detection by immunoassay technique, (eg, enzyme immunoassay [EIA], enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA], fluorescence immunoassay [FIA], immunochemiluminometric assay [IMCA]) qualitative or semiquantitative; Escherichia coli 0157

The CPT® Code 87335 refers to a laboratory test designed to detect the presence of an antigen specific to Escherichia coli 0157 in a fecal sample. This test employs various immunoassay techniques, including enzyme immunoassay (EIA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), fluorescence immunoassay (FIA), and immunochemiluminometric assay (IMCA). Escherichia coli 0157 is a pathogenic strain of bacteria known for producing Shiga toxin, which can lead to severe gastrointestinal conditions such as hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome. The infection typically manifests through symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and bloody diarrhea. Transmission of this bacterium occurs primarily through the consumption of contaminated food and water, and it can also spread from person to person via contact with contaminated feces. To perform the test, a fecal sample is collected, which may be preserved in a fixative or sent fresh to the laboratory for analysis. The immunoassay techniques utilized in this test are capable of detecting minute quantities of the E. coli 0157 antigen by binding it to specific antibodies. The detection process involves the addition of a secondary enzyme-labeled antibody, which facilitates a chromogenic reaction that results in a visible color change or fluorescence, allowing for qualitative or semi-quantitative assessment of the antigen's presence.