Fungal culture, bronchial (Calgary/South)
- Test Name:
- Fungal culture, bronchial (Calgary/South)
- Organism(s)/Disease(s):
-
Aspergillus (Aspergillosis)
Blastomyces dermatitidis (Blastomcosis)
Coccidiomyces immitis (Coccidiomycosis)
Cryptococcus (Cryptococcosis)
Dimorphic fungi
Endemic mycoses
Fungal infection
Histoplasma capsulatum (Histoplasmosis)
Lower respiratory tract infection
- Body Source(s):
-
Bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL)
Bronchial wash (BW)
-
Clinical Prerequisite(s):
-
Provision of relevant
clinical information is important to
ensure a clinical relevant result
Always provide/record:
• specimen source
• current antibiotic/antifungal therapy and start date
• any antimicrobials the patient has had in the last 3 months
• clinical history - symptoms, signs, and their duration
• Is "yeast" or "Filamentous fungus/mold" suspected?
• Is there any underlying respiratory disease? Examples:
- bronchiectasis
- cystic fibrosis
- COPD, asthma
- malignancy
• Has the patient recently had influenza or other viral respiratory tract infection?
• Is the patient immunocompromised? Examples:
- steroid therapy
- chemotherapy
- post-transplant
- immunosuppressive therapy
- neutropenia malignancy
• If Nocardia is suspected, it must be indicated on the requisition
- Collection Device/Tube Type:
-
60 mL sterile, plastic container
- Collection Instructions:
-
- Samples should be collected before initiation of antibiotics or following treatment failure
- Ensure the container does not leak and is not cross-threaded
- Samples should be collected before initiation of antibiotics or following treatment failure
- Handling/Storage Comments:
-
- Store samples at room temperature for up to 2 hours
- If there is a delay in transport to the testing laboratory, then refrigerate the samples
- Specimens must be received at the Diagnostic & Scientific Centre (DSC) within 2 hours of receipt in the hospital laboratory
- Turnaround Times
- See Microbiology Information»
- Last Reviewed:
- 17 May 2023
