Fungus Culture

Message

For Blood Culture for Fungus (Mould) refer to C BLF
Calcofluor white stains are automatically performed for the following sources, when a fungus culture is ordered:

Bronchoalveolar Lavage
Corneal scraping
Liquid specimens such as abscess fluids, eye fluids
Sterile body fluid
Tissue

Test Code

C F

Alias/See Also

Culture for Aspergillus, Cocci, Coccidioides species, Coccidioides posadasii, Coccidioides immitis, Histoplasma, Dermatophytes or Nocardia

Preferred Specimen

Bone Marrow: submit in an Isolator Tube or SPS tube. Other specimens submit in sterile container (examples include skin and nail scrapings)

Patient Preparation
To Collect/ Submit Skin Scrapings: Clean area with 70% alcohol and scrape off skin at active border; include some healthy skin. Place in a sterile screw-capped container.
To Collect/ Submit Nail Scrapings: Clean area with 70% alcohol and scrape with a sterile scalpel; discard first portion; send deeper scrapings for culture.

Place as much material as possible in a sterile screw-capped container.

Minimum Volume

Bone Marrow submitted in a pediatric isolator tube MUST have a minimum of 0.5 ml in a 1.5 ml tube

Instructions

*Call Laboratory for Isolator Tube(s)
Describe specific source with detail, such as: Sputum, expectorated Sputum, induced Bronch wash, LLL Pleural fluid Abscess left leg Skin Scrapings Nail Scrapings

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated

Specimen Stability

For Fluid or Tissue: Send to the Lab within 30 minutes of collection. If specimen is received after 24 hours the specimen will be rejected and the culture cancelled.
For eSwabs: Send to the Lab within 2 hours of collection. If specimen is received after 48 hours the specimen will be rejected and the culture cancelled.

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Non-sterile, Insufficient volume, Leaking containers Specimen received in VTM or preservative such as formalin or cytolyte Dry swabs Specimens with prolonged transport time (greater than 24 hours)

Clinical Significance

Fungi can infect the cerebral spinal fluid, other body fluids, and tissues. Infections occur more commonly among patients who are immunocompromised. Early diagnosis and effective treatment can reduce the likelihood of severe sequelae.

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.