Paracoccidioides (Please notify laboratory if suspected)

Detection of Paracoccidioides species (Paracoccidiomycosis)
Microbiology
Bacteriology
Fungal culture: ○ Blood ○ Tissue/biopsy ○ BAL ○ Any other specimen submitted for routine fungal culture
Other Information
○ For Paracoccidioides serology, see Fungal Serology
Fungal culture:
○ Blood: SPS vacutainer tube
○ BAL or Tissue/biopsy: sterile container

Fungal culture:
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.

Tissue/biopsy
○ Collect 5-10 mm3 tissue aseptically using surgical technique/punch biopsy. Place in a clean, sterile container with a small amount of sterile saline.

BAL
○ Pass bronchoscope transnasally or transorally (if patient is not intubated) or via endotracheal tube (if patient is intubated). Instill a large volume of 0.85% sterile saline (nonbacteriostatic) into the airway lumen. Discard the initial fluid recovered (likely contaminated). Collect of remaining fluid in a clean, sterile container via suction.

Refer to section Sample Processing / Delivery
PHOL
○ Culture – up to 28 days
416-586-4800 extension 4581
YES; laboratory should be notified if this agent is suspected
○ Specimens should be stored at room temperature (20-25˚C) and transported to the laboratory ASAP after collection.

○ UHN/SH Microbiology Laboratory will refer specimen to Public Health
Ontario Laboratory for testing if there is fungal growth suggestive of Paracoccidioides species.