Cryptococcus (Please notify laboratory if suspected)

Detection and identification of Cryptococcus species
Microbiology
Mycology
○ Any specimen sent for routine fungal culture (See: Fungi – culture) ○ Blood ○ Serum (serology) ○ CSF (PCR and serology)
Other Information
○ Blood culture specimens with a request for Cryptococcus culture that are received in BacT/Alert blood culture bottles will only be processed for routine culture
○ Repeat testing may not be clinically indicated for serology. A delay in the decrease of Cryptococcal antigen titer may occur for more than a week following the initiation of effective antifungal therapy
○ Blood: SPS tube (min volume 8 mL)
○ Serum: serum separator tube (5 mL)
○ CSF: clean, sterile container
○ Other specimens as appropriate (e.g. sterile fluids)

Blood
○ Collect 8 mL of blood into a clean, sterile syringe with aseptic technique. Transfer the blood into an SPS tube. Transport to the laboratory immediately for processing.
Serum
○ Decontaminate skin with 70% alcohol followed by iodine or chlorhexidine, collect at least 5 mL of blood

CSF
○ Decontaminate skin, perform lumbar puncture to collect at least 0.5 mL of CSF in sterile polypropylene tube

Refer to section Sample Processing / Delivery
Culture -In-house PCR - Biofire (In-house) for Cryptococcus neoformans/gatti only Serology - Crytococcal Ag
○ Culture: up to 28 days
○ Serology: up to 24h for CSF, up to 96h for serum
416-586-4800 extension 4478
NO; please notify laboratory if this agent is suspected
○ Label specimen container. Place specimens in biohazard bag and seal.

○ Specimens that are potentially contaminated with commensal bacteria and serum should be stored at refrigeration temperature (2-8C˚) EXCEPT CSF which should be kept at room temperature (20-25˚C). SPS tubes can be held at room temperature.

○ Transport specimen to UHN/SH Microbiology Laboratory ASAP after collection.