FUNGAL CULTURE/SMEAR

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. 

FUN

FUNGAL CULTURE FUNGAL SMEAR

See Transport Container for information

Submit only 1 of the following specimens: Bronchial/Tracheal Aspirates 1. Collect specimen in a 20-mL Luki sterile aspirating tube. 2. Maintain sterility and forward promptly. Note: 1. Specimen source is required on request form for processing. 2. One culture/24 hour period/site. Fluid (Joint, Pericardial, Pleural, or Spinal Fluid) 1. Collect 2 mL of fluid into a sterile collection tube. 2. Maintain sterility and forward promptly. Note: 1. Specimen source is required on request form for processing. 2. One culture/24 hour period/site. Sputum 1. Collect specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container. 2. Specimen should be a single, first-morning, ""deep cough"" sputum specimen; and patient should not have eaten prior to collection. When antibiotics are to be started immediately, a first-morning specimen is still preferred. 3. Instruct patient to brush his/her teeth and/or rinse mouth well with water to remove any indigenous flora from mouth area. 4. Have patient remove dentures. 5. Instruct patient to take a deep breath, hold it momentarily, and cough deeply and vigorously into container. Close lid securely. 6. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only. Note: 1. Cough induction by inhalation of a saline aerosol may be used if required. 2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing. 3. One culture/24 hour period/site. Tissue 1. Tissue specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container. 2. Maintain sterility and forward promptly. Note: 1. Specimen source is required on request form for processing. 2. One culture/24 hour period/site. Urine (Midstream Clean-Catch) 1. First-morning specimen is preferred. 2. Collect entire urine specimen in a screw-capped, sterile urine container. (Timed urine specimen is not acceptable.) 3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly. Note: 1. Follow instructions in ""Midstream Clean-Catch Urine Collection"" in ""Urine Collection"" in ""Special Instructions."" 2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing. 3. One culture/24 hour period/site.

1 STERILE CONTAINER

No growth after 4 weeks