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.