- Test Name:
- Fungal culture, CSF (Calgary/South)
- Organism(s)/Disease(s):
-
Aspergillus (Aspergillosis)
Blastomyces dermatitidis (Blastomcosis)
Blastomycosis
Coccidiomyces immitis (Coccidiomycosis)
Cryptococcosis.
Cryptococcus (Cryptococcosis)
Fungal meningitis
Histoplasma capsulatum (Histoplasmosis)
Histoplasmosis
- Body Source(s):
-
Brain, ventricle
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
CSF reservoir
Epidural/intrathecal catheter
Lumbar puncture
Shunt, ventriculoatrial - VP (CSF)
Shunt, ventriculoperitoneal - VA (CSF)
-
Clinical Prerequisite(s):
-
Cryptococcal antigen testing is routinely performed on all CSF specimens submitted for fungal culture (if specimen volume allows).
For known/suspected Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease (CJD), contact Microbiologist-on call (MOC) BEFORE COLLECTION of ANY type of specimen from the central nervous system.Phone: 1-800-661-9876 and request the MOC for Calgary/South zones.
Provision of relevant clinical information is important to ensure a clinically relevant result
Always provide/record:
• clinical history - symptoms, signs, and duration
• antimicrobial history
• travel history
• Is the patient immunocompromised:
- chronic infections
- steroid and other immunosuppressive therapy
- post-transplant
- hematological or other malignancy - Collection Device/Tube Type:
-
10 mL sterile tube
- Comments:
-
- Submit a minimum of 3 mL CSF in sterile screw-cap tube (1.5mL is acceptable for neonates).
- If adequate volume is collected, four (4) separate sterile screw-cap tubes are preferred
- Specimen Requirement(s):
-
See CSF Specimen Collection Guidelines for volume required
Note:
- For small volume draws, indicate priority of test request
- Collection Instructions:
-
See CSF Specimen Collection Guidelines
Label each tube with:
• Patient’s first and last name
• Personal Health Number (PHN) or Regional Health Record Number (RHRN)
• Date and time of collection
• Specimen source (CSF and i.e. lumbar, shunt, EVD)
• Tube identification number (1, 2, 3, 4) indicating order of collection - Handling and Storage:
-
Room temperature
- Handling/Storage Comments:
-
Transport CSF specimens immediately to the laboratory within 15 minutes after collection; the pneumatic tube system may be used for transport to the collection site laboratory
Specimen must be received in the testing laboratory within 1 hour of receipt in the hospital laboratory. Do not leave specimen on the reception counter; give directly to laboratory staff
Store specimen at room temperature. Do NOT refrigerate.
DSC Laboratory Staff only
• Transport specimens for Microbiology testing STAT to the Microbiology laboratory
Note: CSF specimens with CJD requests: follow Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) protocol and APL Biological and Chemical Exposure Response Plan (BCERP) procedures - Turnaround Times
- See Microbiology Information»
- Comments:
-
CSF Fungal culture includes Cryptococcal antigen and Calcofluor white stain.
• If further information is required, contact the Microbiologist On-Call:
Phone 1-800-661-9876, and request the On-call Microbiologist for Calgary/South zones. - Last Reviewed:
- 05 May 2023
