Fungus Culture – Respiratory
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.
Specimen Requirements
Test Requested | Required Requisition(s) | Specimen Type | Minimum Volume | Collection Kit |
Fungus culture |
Any of: Bronchial washings, sputum, bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL) |
None |
Sterile container |
Submission and Collection Notes
Indicate the following on the General Test Requisition Form:
- If the patient is at high risk for invasive fungal infection
- If the patient is in ICU, has had a transplant, malignancy or is otherwise immunocompromised.
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 and ship ASAP after collection.
Test Frequency and Turnaround Time (TAT)
Fungus culture is set up daily Monday to Friday.
Turnaround Time for microscopy: 2 days from receipt by PHO laboratory
Turnaround Time for culture: negative cultures are held for 28 days
Turnaround Time for Identification of isolates: dependent on the organism(s)
Fungal culture and microscopy:
- Fungal culture Identification uses various conventional methods, including microscopic morphology, biochemical reactions, and growth temperature and culture characteristics. Molecular methods will be used when needed.
- High Risk individuals will have enhanced identification to genus species level.
- For Non-High Risk patients, without clinical information, culture will be focused on identifying the dimorphic fungi and Cryptococcus neoformans.
- Microscopy uses Calcofluor White Stain.
- Calcofluor White is a non-specific fluorochrome that binds to the chitin in the cell wall of fungi and fluoresces blue-white under ultraviolet microscopy.
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