Clinical use
Investigation of samples other than hair, skin and nails for fungal infection.
Background
Invasive Fungal disease is often life threatening and time sensitive. Timely identification and appropriate antifungal selection are key to positive patient outcomes.
An important part of the recognition of fungal disease is based upon seeing fungal structures during microscopy of appropriate samples, growing the fungus from these samples by culture and using the macroscopic (colonial) and microscopic characteristics of the fungus to provide an identification.
Together with other techniques such as X-ray, HRCT and serological testing clinicians are able to make a predictive judgement on the likelihood of invasive fungal disease.
Patient preparation
Samples for fungal investigation should be collected in line with directions for sample collection for bacterial investigation.
Specimen requirements
Sterile universal Ear swabs for fungal investigation should be taken using a pink top copan e-swab. Please supply a separate sample for fungal investigation where possible if both bacterial and fungal investigations are required. Sample types accepted for fungal culture:
- Bronchial aspirate
- Bronchoalveolar lavage
- Bronchial brushings
- Bronchial washings
- Cough swab (Cystic fibrosis patients only)
- CSF
- CAPD
- Sputum – expectorated
- Tissue / biopsy / Pus
- Bone
- Bone Marrow
- Ear swab
- Intraocular fluid
- Corneal transplant transport fluid
- Corneal scrape
- Contact lenses and associated cleaning fluids
- Antral / Sinus aspirate
Limitations & restrictions
Please collect samples prior to antibiotic and antifungal therapy where possible.
Turnaround time
3 weeks
Analysing laboratory
Microbiology Lab, James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, TS4 3BW