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Test Code LAB925 Candida (yeast) culture

Performing Laboratory

Barnes-Jewish Hospital Laboratory

Methodology

Testing Algorithm:

Identification of fungi is based on colonial and microscopic morphology, Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization - Time of Flight Mass Spectometry (MALDI-TOF MS), and physiologic or biochemical tests, when applicable. Susceptibility testing can be performed for Candida species upon physician request. Please contact the laboratory at 314-362-3898 if susceptibility testing is needed.

Specimen Requirements

Acceptible Specimens:

Cervical, Endocervical, Lesion, Ulcer, Penile, Urethra, Vaginal, Oral, Throat: 1 ESwab per test request

Skin scraping:  1 ESwab per test request or enough skin to cover the head of a thumbtack

Esophageal brush:  brush in a leakproof screw-capped, sterile container with 2 mL of sterile saline

Urine:  ≥ 5 mL in a BD VACUTAINER grey-top C & S Preservation Tube or a leakproof screw-capped, sterile container

Note: Specimen source is required.

 

Unacceptable Specimens:

Any specimen not listed for acceptable specimens

Specimen collected with ESwab Collection Kit is unacceptable if received without fluid or swab in the transport tube.

 

Collection Procedure:

 

Cervical, Endocervical, Lesion, Ulcer, Penile, Urethra, Vaginal, Oral, Throat:

1. Aseptically collect material using an ESwab.

2. Return ESwab into transport tube following instructions on kit.
3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

4. If transport is delayed, keep specimen at room temperature.

 

Skin scraping

1. Cleanse affected area with 70% alcohol.
2. Gently scrape surface of skin at active margin of lesion.  Do not draw blood.

3. Obtain enough scrapings to cover the head of a thumbtack.

4. Place specimen in a leakproof screw-capped, sterile container.
5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

6. If transport is delayed, refrigerate specimen.

 

Skin scraping (Eswab)

1. Aseptically collect material using an ESwab.

2. Return ESwab into transport tube following instructions on kit.
3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

4. If transport is delayed, keep specimen at room temperature.
 

Esophageal brush:

1. Place brush in a leakproof screw-capped, sterile container with 2 mL of sterile saline.
2. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

3. If transport is delayed, refrigerate specimen.
 

Urine

1. Aseptically collect ≥ 3 mL of urine in a BD VACUTAINER grey-top C & S Preservation Tube or a leakproof screw-capped, sterile container.

2. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

3. If transport is delayed, refrigerate specimen.

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Turnaround Time:
STAT: not available
Routine: final negative report available after 120 hours (5 days) of incubation

Test Classification and CPT Coding

87102 – Culture, fungi other source (except blood)

87106 – Culture, fungi, definitive identification, each organism yeast

87186 - Susceptibility studies, microdilution or agar dilution (MIC)

Reference Values

No growth of Candida after 120 hours (5 days)

 

Literature Reference:

  1. Larone, Davise H. Medically important fungi - a guide to identification. 6th ed. Washington, DC: American Society for Microbiology; 2018; 361-72.
     
  2. Berkow, Elizabeth L. and McGowan, Karin L. Specimen Collection, Transport, and Processing: Mycology.  In: Carroll, Karen, et.al., Manual of Clinical Microbiology, 12th edition. ASM Press. Washington, D.C.; 2019: Volume 2, Chapter 117; 2016-2024.
     
  3. Borman, Andrew M. and Johnson, Elizabeth M., et.al. Candida, Cryptococcus, and Other Yeasts of Medical Importance.  In: Carroll, Karen, et.al., Manual of Clinical Microbiology, 12th edition. ASM Press. Washington, D.C.; 2019: Volume 2, Chapter 120; 2056-2086.
     

Additional Information

For BJH Laboratory Use Only

Minimum Volume: 

Cervical, Endocervical, Lesion, Ulcer, Penile, Urethra, Vaginal, Oral, Throat: 1 ESwab per test request

Scraping:  1 ESwab per test request or enough skin to cover the head of a thumbtack

Esophageal brush:  brush in a leakproof screw-capped, sterile container

Urine: 0.5 mL in a leakproof screw-capped, sterile container

Laboratory Processing Instructions:
Test performed in BJH Microbiology.

Speciment Transport Temperature

Ambient/Refrigerate OK