Test Overview
Test Methodology

Culture

Test Usage

Establish the presence of filamentous fungi, dimorphic pathogens, Candida species and aerobic actinomycetes.

Reference Range *

No fungi or aerobic actinomycete isolated.

* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.

Test Limitations

A single negative culture does not rule out the presence of fungal infection. Decreased recovery of filamentous fungi from specimens received on swabs.

Test Details
Days Set Up
Daily
Analytic Time

Preliminary results on all cultures are reported in 12-24 hours. The health care provider will be notified of cultures positive with systemic pathogens. Negative cultures will be reported after 4 weeks.

Soft Order Code
FNG
Synonyms
  • Cornea, Fungus Culture
  • Culture, Conjunctiva, Fungus
  • Eye, Fungus Culture
  • FNG
  • Conjunctiva Culture, Fungus
  • Nocardia Culture, Conjunctiva
  • FUNGUS CULTURE/SMEAR
Laboratory
Microbiology
Section
Microbiology
Specimen Requirements
Collection Instructions

Avoid contamination with skin flora. Collect swab of conjunctiva using an ESwab (preferred) or a sterile swab wetted with sterile saline and placed in a cup. Inoculate scraping of corneal ulcer, or washing of lacrimal duct onto a SAB plate, also inoculate a sterile glass slide for a direct smear. Avoid contamination with skin flora. Do not incubate. For optimum recovery, send directly to MLabs. If specimen must be stored, refrigerate immediately after specimen collection. May be refrigerated up to 24 hrs. Specify fungal species suspected. Indicate specimen source, collection date/time, current antibiotic or antifungal therapy and clinical diagnosis on requisition. If an unacceptable specimen is received, the client will be notified before disposal of the original specimen.

Normal Volume
1 swab for isolation of yeast ONLY; or any scrapings, or washings for other fungal agents.
Minimum Volume
1 swab for isolation of yeast ONLY; or any scrapings, or washings for other fungal agents.
Additional Information

Test includes culture and, if specimen is adequate, direct smear.

Billing
CPT Code
87102 Isolation, 87106 Identification, 87205 Smear
Fee Code
32237