Fungal Stain [8627X]

8627

Skin, hair, nails submitted in a sterile, leak-proof container, or Air dried smears, or Raw specimen other than stool, sterile fluid, or bronchoalveolar lavage, or sputum

Specimen other than stool, submitted on a rayon, dacron, calcium alginate, or flocked nylon culture swab in bacterial transport medium, or Amies gel transport medium (blue or red-top)

This test code should be used for specimens from sources other than blood or specimens found on the skin surface. Fungus cultures and smear from all skin, hair, and nail sources should be ordered using test code 13303 (Fungus Culture and Smear (Skin, Hair, or Nails), and cultures on blood should be should be ordered as 6024 (Fungus culture, Blood).

*Please contact the Microbiology Department for any other questions.
Specimen Requirements: (Preferred): Raw specimen, any clinical source other than stool. Air dried smears prepared from any clinical specimen other than stool.

Slides and gel or liquid swabs: Room temperature
Raw specimens: Refrigerated (cold packs)

Skin, Hair Nails
Room temperature: 14 days
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: Unacceptable

Swab in Transport Media and Air dried smear
Room temperature: 72 hours
Refrigerated: 72 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable

Fluid, bronchial lavage or sputum
Room Temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 72 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable

Broken slides or smears too thick to read • Smears fixed with Cytology fixative • Slides previously stained by Cytology and cover slipped • Excessively bloody samples • DNA probe transport device • Viral transport medium • Stool specimens • Corneal rim • Bone • Catheter tips

Set up: Daily; Report available: Next day

This examination can provide the physician with early information regarding the possible need for antifungal treatment.