Fungus Culture

• Investigation for Systemic Fungus
  • Respiratory specimens such as Sputum, Tracheal aspirate, Bronchoscopy samples, CSF, Pleural fluid, Ascities fluid, Joint fluid, Vitreous fluid, Ear swab, Corneal scrapings, Intraocular fluid, Subcutaneous tissue, Pus from lesions, abscess aspiration, skin ulcers; biopsy/autopsy materials, Surgically collected sinus wall scraping
• Investigation for Dermatophytes :
  • Skin scraping, Nail scrapings/clippings, Hair (root ends)

• Sterile Container for systemic fungus 
•  Fungus collection kit for Dermatophytes

The specimen should be aseptically transferred into a sterile container.

Respiratory samples: Sputum, tracheal aspirate or bronchoscopy samples should be collected directly into a sterile container or may be submitted within the endotracheal aspirate tube.

Hair - Select broken or scaly hair that is most likely to be infected. If possible, choose hair that fluoresces when exposed to a Wood's lamp. Pluck at least 10 hairs out by the roots and send root portion for culture.

Nails - Clean with 70% alcohol. Scrape deeply enough to obtain recently invaded tissue. Initial scrapings should be discarded as they are often contaminated. Whole pieces of nail may be submitted.

Skin - Clean area with 70% alcohol. Scrape the active peripheral edge of the lesion with a scalpel to obtain flakes of skin.

Note: Hair, nails and skin should be transported in black paper envelopes available from the Microbiology Lab.

Please provide patient's immune status, current antifungal therapy and/or clinical diagnosis. This will impact on work up and reporting practices.

Monday - Friday

Preliminary: 1 to 5 weeks

Final: 1 to 5 weeks

The specimen should be transported as soon as possible, without delay.

Viability may decrease with prolonged storage. The specimen should then be refrigerated.

All specimens should be stored at room temperature EXCEPT Respiratory secretions - Bronchial wash, Sputum, BAL required to stored at 2-4°C.