Fungus found in bat and bird droppings that causes lung disease Histoplasmosis.LungEncyclopedia Entry for Histoplasma :Histoplasma complement fixation. A blood sample is needed. The sample is sent to a laboratory. There it is examined for histoplasma antibodies using a laboratory method called complement fixation. This technique checks if your body has produced substances called antibodies to a specific foreign substance ( antigen ), in this case H capsulatum. Antibodies are specialized proteins that defend your body against bacteria, viruses, and fungi. If the antibodies are present, they stick, or 'fix' themselves, to the antigen. This is why the test is called 'fixation.'.There is no special preparation for the test.When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or bruising. This soon goes away.The test is done to detect histoplasmosis infection.The absence of antibodies (negative test) is normal.Abnormal results may mean you have an active histoplasmosis infection. During the early stage of an illness, few antibodies may be detected. Antibody production increases during the course of an infection. For this reason, this test may be repeated several weeks after the first test. People who have been exposed to H capsulatum in the past may have antibodies to it, often at low levels. But they may not have shown signs of illness.Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another, and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others. Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include: Excessive bleeding Fainting or feeling lightheaded Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin) Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken).Histoplasma antibody test.Blood test Blood test.Chernecky CC, Berger BJ. Histoplasmosis serology - blood.Encyclopedia Entry for Histoplasma :Histoplasma skin test. The health care provider cleans an area of your skin, usually the forearm. An allergen is injected just below the cleaned skin surface. An allergen is a substance that causes an allergic reaction. The injection site is checked at 24 hours and at 48 hours for signs of a reaction. Occasionally, the reaction may not appear until the fourth day.No special preparation is necessary for this test.You may feel a brief sting as the needle is inserted just below the skin.This test is used to determine if you have been exposed to the fungus that causes histoplasmosis.No reaction (inflammation) at the site of the test is normal. The skin test can rarely make histoplasmosis antibody tests turn positive. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.A reaction means you have been exposed to Histoplasma capsulatum. It does not always mean you have an active infection.There is a slight risk of anaphylactic shock (a severe reaction).This test is rarely used today. It has been replaced by a variety of blood and urine tests.Histoplasmosis skin test.Aspergillus antigen skin test Aspergillus antigen skin test.Chernecky CC, Berger BJ. Histoplasmosis skin test diagnostic.