FUNGAL SKIN/HAIR/NAIL CULT/SMR

Culture for fungi requires special procedures to achieve acceptable sensitivity. Therefore, a specific order is necessary when the possibility of mycotic disease is under consideration. Candida species are usually recovered by routine aerobic bacterial methods and reported with bacterial isolates. A smear is routinely made from the specimen, but fungal smears will not be performed on specimens submitted on a swab. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing on yeast requires a specific order.

A positive result for yeast or mold will reflex additional identification charges. 

FUNS

FUNGAL SKIN/HAIR/NAIL CULTURE FUNGAL SKIN/HAIR/NAIL SMEAR

See Transport Container for information

Submit only 1 of the following specimens: Hair 1. No cleaning of scalp is needed. 2. Select infected area (scaling or alopecia may be present), and use a forcep to epilate a few hairs. 3. Place hairs between 2 clean, glass slides or in a screw-capped, sterile container. 4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly. Nail 1. Clean nail with 70% alcohol. 2. Collect specimen from beneath nail plate to obtain softened material from nail bed. 3. Otherwise, scrape away surface of nail and discard these scrapings. 4. Scrape deeper portion of nail for specimen. 5. Place specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container. 6. Maintain sterility and forward promptly. Skin 1. Wipe lesions and interspaces between toes with 70% alcohol. 2. Scrape entire lesion and both sides of interspaces with a sterile scalpel. 3. Place scrapings between 2 clean, glass slides or in a screw-capped, sterile container. 4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

1 STERILE CONTAINER 

No growth after 4 weeks