Test Overview
Culture
Establish the presence of filamentous fungi, dimorphic pathogens, Candida species and aerobic actinomycetes.
No fungi or aerobic actinomycete isolated.
* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.
A single negative culture does not rule out the presence of fungal infection. Swabs should be submitted to the laboratory only when aspirated purulent fluid, exudate, or biopsy material cannot be obtained. Decreased recovery of filamentous fungi possible from specimens received on swabs.
Test Details
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.
- Abscess, Fungus Culture
- Culture, Wound, Fungus
- Exudate, Fungus Culture
- Wound Culture, Fungus
- Pus, Fungus Culture
- Nocardia Culture, Wound
Specimen Requirements
To isolate yeast, send 2 Eswabs available from MLabs. To isolate other fungi, send fluids or tissue in sterile container. For optimum recovery, send immediately. If specimen must be stored and Histoplasma isolation is not desired, refrigerate immediately after specimen collection. May be refrigerated up to 24 hrs. If Histoplasma isolation is desired, keep specimen at room temperature and send to Microbiology within 4 hrs of specimen collection. If Histoplasma or other fungal species is suspected, indicate on requisition. Indicate specimen source, collection date/time, current antibiotic therapy, and clinical diagnosis. If an unacceptable specimen is received, the client will be notified and another specimen will be requested before disposal of the original specimen.
Additional Information
Test includes culture and, if specimen is adequate, direct smear. Isolation of Histoplasma is suboptimal from specimens older than 4 hrs and is unlikely from specimens older than 8 hrs.