Fungus Culture – Body Fluids

Consistent with O. Reg. 671/92 of the French Language Services Act, laboratory testing information on this page is only available in English because it is scientific or technical in nature and is for use only by qualified health care providers and not by members of the public.

*Uncontrolled print copy. Valid only on day of print: 01 May 2024.

Specimen Collection and Handling

Specimen Requirements

Test Requested	Required Requisition(s)	Specimen Type	Minimum Volume	Collection Kit
Fungus Culture	General Test Requisition	Any of: Body fluids or secretions, pus from lesions, or abscess aspirates	2.0 ml of specimen, if possible	Sterile container

Storage and Transport

Label the specimen container with the patient’s full name, date of collection and one other unique identifier such as the patient’s date of birth or Health Card Number. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection or testing delay.

Place specimen in a biohazard bag and seal. Store specimen at 4°C if not shipped immediately after collection.

Requisitions and Kit Ordering

Test Frequency and Turnaround Time (TAT)

Fungus culture is set up daily Monday to Friday.

Turnaround Time for microscopy: 1 day from receipt by PHO laboratory.

Turnaround Time for culture: negative cultures are held for up to 28 days.

Identification of isolates: dependent on organism(s).

Test Methods

Fungus culture and microscopy:

Fungal culture: identification uses various methods, including microscopic morphology, biochemical reactions, growth temperature, culture characteristics and molecular methods.
Microscopy uses Calcofluor White Stain.
Full identification will be performed on isolates from sterile sites.