FUNGUS CULTURE, OTHER

Test Code

LAB1012

Quest Code

4553

CPT Codes
87102, 87206

Includes

Fungal smear and culture

If culture is positive, then identification will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s):
87106, 87107, 87140, 87143, 87149 or 87158).

If the organism cannot be identified by the original method or if there are multiple organisms,
identification by DNA sequencing may be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): (CPT
code(s): 87153).

Preferred Specimen

Body fluids, CSF, and eye fluid (vitreous) specimens in a sterile, leak-proof container.

Ear,oral, throat, nose, nasopharyngeal, wound or genital specimen collected by Eswab and transported in a liquid or gel transport medium.

Ocular specimens collected in a sterile, leak-proof container, or transport Eswabs in liquid or gel transport medium.

Sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, brushing, washing or aspirate collected in any sterile leak-proof container.

Tissue or biopsy specimen submitted in a sterile, leak- proof container.

First morning, clean catch midstream urine catheter collected, surgically collected urine, or after prostatic massage.

Minimum Volume

1 mL abscess • 1 swab abscess, wound exudates, aspirates or lesion material • 1 mL body fluids/CSF • 1 swab ear, oral, throat, nose, nasopharyngeal, wound, or genital specimen • Any amount of eye/corneal scrapings • 1 mL sputum, lower respiratory or BAL fluid, brushing, washing or aspirate • Any amount tissue/biopsy • 5 mL of urine

Other Acceptable Specimens

Any body fluid or specimens collected by Eswabs • Ocular scrapings placed directly onto media and a clean microscope slide • Any respiratory sample • Any tissue sample

Instructions

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

Transport Container

Sterile container. Add a small amount of saline to biopsy and soft tissue specimens. Transport Eswabs in liquid or gel transport medium. <br /> Corneal specimens may be directly inoculated onto media, sealed tightly and submitted at room temperature.

Transport Temperature

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

*If H. capsulatum is suspected transport at room temperature

Specimen Stability

Sterile leak-proof container
Room temperature: 72 hours
Refrigerated: 72 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable

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

Pre-inoculated agar media
Room temperature: 72 hours
Refrigerated: 72 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable

Lower respiratory
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 72 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable

Urine
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 48 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 • Culture • Isolation and Identification

Setup Schedule

Day shift Mon-Fri

Report Available

4 weeks

Reference Range

See Laboratory Report

Clinical Significance

The prompt detection of fungus in clinical samples is extremely important for in-patient management. Disseminated fungal infections are increasing in prevalence, and fungus cultures are essential for the isolation and subsequent identification of the causative agents.

Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics-Lenexa

10101 Renner Blvd

Lenexa, KS 66219-9752

Last Updated: March 31, 2023

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.