Culture, Fungus and Smear [4553X]

Test Code

870

CPT Codes
87102, 87206

Includes

Fungal smear and culture

If culture is positive, then identification and susceptibility will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 87106 or 87107 or 87186).

Preferred Specimen

1 mL abscess collected in a sterile, leak-proof container, or
1 swab abscess, wound exudates, aspirates or lesion material collected in an Amies liquid transport swab, Amies gel transport swab, Amies liquid elution swab (ESwab®) or equivalent, or
3 mL body fluids or CSF collected in a sterile, leak-proof container, or
1 swab ear, oral, throat, nose, nasopharyngeal, wound, or genital specimen collected in an Amies liquid transport swab, Amies gel transport swab, Amies liquid elution swab (ESwab) or equivalent, or
Any amount of eye/corneal scrapings collected in a sterile, leak-proof container or pre-inoculated agar media, or
2 mL sputum, lower respiratory, or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, brushing, washing or aspirate collected in a sterile, leak-proof container, or
Any amount of tissue or biopsy collected in a sterile, leak-proof container, or
10 mL urine, first morning, clean catch midstream, catheter collected, surgically collected, or after prostatic massage collected in a sterile, leak-proof container

Minimum Volume

1 mL abscess, body fluids, CSF, or respiratory samples • 1 swab • 5 mL urine

Instructions

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

Transport Temperature

Raw specimens: Refrigerated (cold packs)
Swab specimens in transport medium: Room temperature

Specimen Stability

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

Respiratory samples
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 72 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable

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

All other sample types
Room temperature: 72 hours
Refrigerated: 72 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
Microscopic Exam with Calcofluor White Stain (KOH) • Culture, Isolation and Identification

Setup Schedule

Set up: Daily; Report available: 28-42 days

Reference Range

See Laboratory Report

Clinical Significance

Fungi can infect the cerebral spinal fluid, other body fluids, and tissues. Infections occur more commonly among patients who are immunocompromised. Early diagnosis and effective treatment can reduce the likelihood of severe sequelae.

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.