Culture, Fungus

Test Code

FUNG

Includes

If culture is positive identification will be performed at an additional charge

Preferred Specimen

Skin scrapings, nail scrappings, hair, or raw specimens from other sources.

Minimum Volume

1 mL abscess
1 swab abscess, wound exudates, aspirates or lesion material
1 mL body fluids/CSF
1 swab ear, oral, throat, nose, nasopharyngeal, wound, or genital specimen
Any amount of eye/corneal scrapings
1 ml sputum, lower respiratory or BAL fluid, brushing, washing or aspirate
Any amount tissue/biopsy
5 mL of urine

Instructions

Respiratory: If H. capsulatum is suspected, transport at room temperature

Transport Container

Sterile containers are preferred but a culturette may be submitted for some sources.

Transport Temperature

Raw specimens should be transported immediately to lab; culturettes, hair, nail scroappings and skin scrappings are stable ambient temperature.

Specimen Stability

Sterile leak-proof container:
Room temperature: 72 hours
Refrigerated: 72 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable

Swabs:
Room temperature: 72 hours
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen: Unacceptable

Pre-inoculated agar media:
Room temperature: 72 hours
Refrigerated: 72 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable

Lower respiratory:
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 72 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable

Urine:
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 48 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Specimens transported in alcohol or formalin • Specimens in EDTA, citrate or yellow-top ACD vacutainer tubes • 24 hour urine collections • 24 hour sputum collections • Non-sterile containers • Viral transport medium • Stool specimens • Hair, skin, nails

Methodology
Culture, Isolation and Identification

Setup Schedule

24/7

Report Available

28 days

Reference Range

See Laboratory Report

Clinical Significance

The prompt detection of fungus in clinical samples is extremely important for in-patient management. Disseminated fungal infections are increasing in prevalence, and fungus cultures are essential for the isolation and subsequent identification of the causative agents.

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.