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Fungus Hair, Skin, Nail Culture
Test CodeCXFNS
Alias/See Also
Epic: LAB2259
Includes
Fungal Smear (Calcofluor) and Culture for Yeast and Molds
Preferred Specimen
Specimen Type: Varies
Source: Scalp/scalp brushing, hair, skin, nail (whole nail or clippings)
Collection Container: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: Entire collection
Instructions
- Scalp: Gently collect the infected area with a small brush
- Hair: Select infected areas and with forceps, epilate at least 10 hairs. For hairs broken off at the scalp level, use a scalpel or a blade knife.
- Nail: Clean nail with 70% alcohol. Scrape infected nail area. Collect whole nail or nail clippings.
- Skin: Clean skin with 70% alcohol. Scrape the edge of the lesion.
- Transport all specimens in a clean container or pressed between two clean glass slides taped together.
Specimen Stability
Must be received within 24hrs of collection (refrigerated)
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Dried swabs, Samples received in formalin or other fixative
Methodology
Standard Fungal Culture. Morphological Identification of Molds
Setup Schedule
Daily
Report Available
Final Negative Report Issued After 4 weeks
Reference Range
Negative for fungal pathogens
Clinical Significance
Isolation of a fungal pathogen may indicate an infectious cause of symptoms. Additional laboratory data and the clinical status of the patient should be used to determine the significance of a culture positive for fungi, as colonization or contamination may also explain a positive result.
Performing Laboratory
Inova Laboratories
2832 Juniper Street
Fairfax, VA 22031
Last Updated: May 15, 2023
Last Review: N. Wolford, May 15, 2023