Fungal culture - Aspirate/Tissue/Biopsies/Sterile Fluids/Drainage/Devices

Alternative Names/Synonyms	Detection and identification of fungal organisms in aspirates/tissues/biopsies/sterile fluids/drainages
Laboratory	Microbiology
Sub-section	Mycology
Specimen Type	○ Abscess contents ○ Aspirates ○ Tissues ○ Biopsy material ○ Sterile fluids (e.g. peritoneal fluid, peritoneal dialysis fluid, pleural fluid, synovial fluid, amniotic fluid, other sterile body fluids) ○ Drainages

Other Information

○ Swabs are not acceptable specimens for fungal culture
○ Many fungal species are slow growing and require prolonged periods of incubation. PCR would not be performed unless fungal elements were seen on primary stain but an organism failed to grow in culture

○ Please notify the laboratory if a dimorphic fungi is suspected (indicate on the requisition and/or phone the laboratory)

Specimen Requirements (Tube Type)

○ Sterile container (optimal volume 5 mL if possible)

Collection Requirements

Decontaminate skin with 70% alcohol followed by iodine or chlorhexidine. Aspirate fluid by percutaneous aspiration using aseptic technique and a syringe and needle. Dispense in sterile container and transport to laboratory.
Abscess contents/aspirates/sterile fluids
○ Samples should be collected aseptically through decontaminated skin using a syringe and needle and placed in a sterile container and submitted to the laboratory ASAP. Collecting swabs of fluids/abscess contents/aspirate has lower yield and should NOT be done.

Tissue/Biopsies
○ Collect 5-10 mm3 tissue/bone aseptically using surgical technique/punch biopsy. Place in a clean, sterile container with a small amount of sterile saline. Do not wrap tissue in gauze.
Drainages
○ Samples should be collected aseptically through the drain and placed in a sterile container and submitted to the laboratory ASAP.

Sample Stability

Refer to section Sample Processing / Delivery

Referral Laboratory

In-house

Routine Turnaround Time

○ Microscopy: 1 day
○ Culture: up to 28 days

Laboratory Contact Information

416-586-4800 extension 4493

Approval Required

NO; but laboratory should be notified if dimorphic fungal organism suspected

Sample Processing / Delivery

○ Label specimen container and outer biohazard specimen bag with printed electronic laboratory order sticker. Place specimens in biohazard bag, seal

○ Specimens should be stored at room temperature (20-25˚C) after collection and transported to the UHN/SH Microbiology Laboratory ASAP.