A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

Culture, Fungus Other source

Test Code
CXFUN


CPT Codes
87102

Preferred Specimen
  1. Sputum (tracheal lavage, bronchial lavage, and aerosol collection)
    • Sputum should be fresh. Collect it in the early morning.
    • Have patient remove dentures and rinse mouth.
    • Sputum should be the result of a deep cough (not saliva) or should be induced by an aqueous aerosol.
    • Collect 5 to 10 ml in sterile container.
  2. Respiratory specimens other than sputum:  These specimens include tracheal aspirates, lung biopsy material, and bronchoscopy specimens. They are collected aseptically by physicians and immediately sent to the laboratory for examination and processing.
  3. Pus, exudate, and drainage:  Using a sterile needle and syringe, aspirate material from undrained abscesses. Place the material in a sterile container and deliver to laboratory.
  4. Vaginal material:  Using several sterile swabs, collect material from the vagina. Insert swabs into a sterile tube and deliver to laboratory.
  5. Tissue (Core biopsy, Kidney, Liver, Lymph nodes, etc)
    • Collect tissue aseptically from the center and edge of the lesion.
    • Place specimen between moist gauze squares, add a small amount of sterile water or 0.85% NaCl to keep tissue form drying out, and send immediately to the laboratory. Keep refrigerated for no more than 8 h at 4oC until processed.
  6. Bone Marrow:  Aspirate approximately 3 to 5 ml of bone marrow, and place it in a sterile container. SPS or heparin can be added as an anticoagulant. The pediatric Isolator blood culture system may be used.
  7. CSF:  Collect as much spinal fluid as possible, and place it in a sterile container. Generally, a no. 3 tube is used. Perform Cryptococcal Antigen testing. Perform gram stain on centrifuged sediment before transport to CRMC.
  8. Urine
    • The urine specimen most suitable for making a diagnosis of mycoses of the urinary tract is a catherized specimen. Collect a clean-catch midstream specimen when aspiration or cystoscopy cannot be done.
    • Collect early-morning specimens aseptically in sterile containers.
    • Twenty-four-hour collections have no value. Urine may be stored at 4oC for 12 to 14 hours.
  9. Body fluids (pleural, synovial, and peritoneal):  Collect specimens aseptically, and place them in sterile containrs.
  10. Hair
    • No cleaning of scalp is needed.
    • Select infected areas, and with forceps, epilate at least 10 hairs.
    • For hairs broken off at the scalp level, use a scalpel or a blade knife.
    • Place hairs in a sterile dry container for transport, or in a clean envelope abeled with the patient’s data.
  11. Nail
    • Clean nail with 70% alcohol.
    • For a specimen of the dorsal plate, scrape the outer surface and discard he scrapings. Then scrape the deeper portion for a specimen.
    • Remove a portion of debris form under the nail with a scalpel.
    • Collect the whole nail or nail clippings.
    • Place all material in a clean envelope labeled with the patient’s data.
  12. Eye:  
    • Corneal Scrapings:  Take medium to where the specimen will be collected.  Physician should place corneal scrapings directly on medium. 
    • Intraocular Fluid:  Transport intraocular fluid in a sterile tube (the collecting syringe is acceptable if handled properly and taken immediately to the laboratory), and keep the tube at 25oC (room temperature) if there is a delay in processing.


Transport Container
If processing is to be delayed for more than 4 hours, store the specimens according to the following guidelines:
  • Store/Transport dermatological specimens (hair, nails, skin scrapings) in a dry container at 15-30o C (Room Temperature).
  • Store/Transport blood and CSF at 30-37oC (Incubator temp)
  • Store/Transport all other specimens at 4o C (Refrigerator temperature).


Setup Schedule
24x7


Reference Range
Negative
Critical Results:
  • CSF Specimens:  Positive Cryptococcal Antigen test, positive India Ink, or gram stain showing organisms.
  • Joint Fluids: Fungal elements in joint fluid specimens
  • Blood Culture: Fungal elements in blood cultures.


Clinical Significance
Identification of pathogenic fungi causing infections in various body fluids or wounds.


Performing Laboratory
CRMC Microbiology



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.