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HelpOrder Code FS Fungal Smear, Varies
Reporting Name
Fungal SmearUseful For
Detection of fungi in clinical specimens
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Specimen Type
VariesShipping Instructions
Specimen should arrive within 24 hours of collection.
Necessary Information
Specimen source is required.
Specimen Required
Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
Preferred:
Specimen Type: Body fluid
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: Entire collection
Specimen Type: Fresh tissue
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: Pea size
Collection Instructions: Tissue should be placed in small amount of sterile saline or sterile water.
Acceptable:
Specimen Type: Bone marrow
Container/Tube: Sterile container, SPS/Isolator system, or green top (lithium or sodium heparin)
Specimen Volume: Entire collection
Specimen Type: Respiratory specimen
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: Entire collection
Specimen Type: Urine
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: 2 mL
Collection Instructions: Collect a random urine specimen.
Fresh tissue or body fluid are preferred over a swab specimen. Recovery of mycobacteria from swabs is generally very low yield. Only submit a swab specimen if tissue biopsy or fluid aspiration is not possible.
Specimen Type: Swab
Supplies: BD E-swab (T853)
Sources: Dermal, ear, mouth, ocular, throat, or wound
Container/Tube: Sterile, screw-capped tube containing Liquid Amies Medium with flocked swab (eg, E-Swab)
Specimen Volume: Flocked swab in 1 mL of Liquid Amies Medium
Collection Instructions:
1. Before collecting specimen, wipe away any excessive amount of secretion and discharge, if appropriate.
2. Obtain secretions or fluid from source with sterile flocked swab.
3. Place flocked swab in sterile, screw-capped tube containing 1 mL of Liquid Amies Medium.
4. If smear and culture are requested or both a bacterial culture and fungal culture are requested, collect a second swab to maximize test sensitivity. Submit each swab in a separate sterile, screw-capped tube with 1 mL of Liquid Amies Medium.
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Varies | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days |
| Ambient | 7 days |
Reference Values
Negative
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
CPT Code Information
87206
87176-Tissue processing (if appropriate)
Method Description
Calcofluor white, a fluorescent textile brightener, nonspecifically binds with chitin in the cell wall of fungi. Examination of stained specimens using fluorescent microscopy allows for the detection of fungi due to the fluorescence of calcofluor white present on the fungal cell wall. Potassium hydroxide is added to hasten clearing of viscous specimens, and Evans blue is added to prevent nonspecific fluorescence.(Lindsley M. Reagents, stains, and media: Mycology. In: Carroll KC, Pfaller MA, Pritt BS, et al. Manual of Clinical Microbiology. 13th ed. ASM Press; 2023)
Reject Due To
| Blood or fixed tissue Specimen in viral transport (including but not limited to M4, M5, BD viral transport media, thioglycolate broth) Nasal swab Wood shaft or charcoal swab Catheter tips Prepared slide, glass slide, microscope slide Stool Boric acid tube Aptima swab Culture transport swab (eg, Culturette) |
Reject |
Reflex Tests
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| TISSR | Tissue Processing | No, (Bill Only) | No |
Specimen Minimum Volume
Bone marrow, body fluid, or respiratory specimen: 0.2 mL; Any other specimen type: See Specimen Required
Method Name
Calcofluor/KOH Stain
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Microbiology Test Request (T244) with the specimen.
Testing Algorithm
For information, see Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel Algorithm.