Fungal Culture, Routine
Use
The Fungal Culture, Routine test is useful for diagnosing fungal infections in specimens other than blood, skin, hair, nails, and vagina, for which separate tests are available. It helps in isolating and identifying fungi in clinical specimens, which is crucial for the management of infections in immunocompromised patients such as those with AIDS, undergoing chemotherapy, or transplant rejection therapy.
Special Instructions
Specimen should arrive within 24 hours of collection, and the specimen source (anatomic body site) is required. If not ordering electronically, complete and send a Microbiology Test Request form with the specimen. Fresh tissue or body fluid are preferred over swab specimens due to low yield from swabs.
Limitations
Cultures are incubated for up to 24 days to account for slow-growing fungi. Some fungi may be contaminants rather than pathogens; thus, clinical correlation is necessary. Swab specimens generally offer poor yield compared to fresh tissue or body fluids. Specimens in viral transport media, blood, or fixed tissue are not acceptable for this culture type.
FDA ApprovedNew York Approved
Methodology
Culture-based
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 51723-5
- 51723-5
Result Turnaround Time
24-35 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Body Fluid
Volume
Entire collection
Minimum Volume
1 mL
Container
Sterile container
Causes for Rejection
Blood or fixed tissue; Specimen in viral transport medium including but not limited to M4, M5, BD viral transport media, thioglycolate broth; Swab sources of respiratory fluids eg (sputum) or nasal swab; Wood shaft or charcoal swab; Catheter tips; Petri dish; Stool; Blades from scalpels or razors; Boric acid tubes; Aptima swab; Culture transport swabs eg (Culturette)
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 7 days |
| Refrigerated | 7 days |