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Culture, Fungus, Blood

Fungal Yeast, Mold

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB5488

Department

Microbiology

Instructions

If the specimen source is hair, skin, or nails, or a source other than blood, please see Culture, Fungus, Hair, Skin, and Nails or Culture, Fungus, Routine.

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: One 7 mL lithium heparin tube.

Transport specimens immediately to the Laboratory after collection.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

• Arrange for transportation to the Laboratory prior to specimen collection. Courier Services may be contacted for a STAT pickup if necessary.
• Maintain specimens at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) prior to transport. Avoid extremely high or low temperatures.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Blood in lithium heparin at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F).

Rejection Criteria

• Specimens submitted on swabs.
• Unlabeled specimens.
• Refrigerated or frozen specimens.

Inpatient Specimen Preparation

Specimens must be transported to the Laboratory immediately after collection.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 16 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 30 days

Laboratory

Royal Oak Microbiology Laboratory

Performed

Monday – Friday, 7:00 am – 3:30 pm.
Preliminary results available within 72 hours. 

NOTE: Growth from positive blood cultures will be processed as it occurs. 

Reference Range

No growth.

Test Methodology

Fungal culture, microscopy, and biochemical tests for identification of organisms.

Clinical Utility

Identification of fungi in clinical specimens may aid the physician in diagnosing and treating a patient.

Reference

1. Koneman's Color Atlas and Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology, 6^th Ed. pp: 1159-1161. (2006)
2. Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook, 4th, ed. Section 8.2.1. (2016) 
3. Specimen Collection, Transport, and Processing: Mycology. Manual of Clinical Microbiology, 11^th Ed. (2015)

CPT Codes

87101, 87102, or 87103, dependent on source.
LOINC:  601-5

Contacts

Last Updated

3/5/2024