Fungal culture, sputum (Calgary/South)
- Test Name:
- Fungal culture, sputum (Calgary/South)
- Organism(s)/Disease(s):
-
Blastomyces dermatitidis (Blastomcosis)
Coccidiomyces immitis (Coccidiomycosis)
Cryptococcus (Cryptococcosis)
Dimorphic fungi
Endemic mycoses
Fungal infection
Histoplasma capsulatum (Histoplasmosis)
Lower respiratory tract infection
- Body Source(s):
-
Auger suction
Endotracheal tube aspirate (ETA)
Sputum, expectorated
Sputum, induced
Tracheostomy tube aspirate
-
Clinical Prerequisite(s):
-
Provision of relevant, clinical information is important to ensure a clinically relevant result
Always provide/record:
• specimen source
• current antibiotic/antifungal therapy and start date
• any antimicrobials the patient had in the last 3 months
• clinical history - symptoms, signs and their duration
• Is "yeast" or" filamentous fungus/mold" suspected
• Is there underlying respiratory disease?
Eg., bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, COPD, asthma, malignancy
• Has the patient recently had influenza or other viral respiratory tract infection?
• Is the patient immunocompromised?
Eg., steroid therapy, chemotherapy, post transplant, immunosuppressive therapy, neutropenia malignancy
Note: If Nocardia is suspected it must be indicated on the requisition
- Collection Device/Tube Type:
-
60 mL sterile, plastic container
- Specimen Requirement(s):
-
- Collection Instructions:
-
Following collection:
• Immediately replace the container lid
• Ensure that it does not leak and is not cross-threaded
- Handling and Storage:
-
- Store at temperature for up to 2 hours
Refrigerate if a delay in transport is expected
Transport/submit to laboratory as soon as possible after collection
- Handling/Storage Comments:
-
Transport sputum samples STAT from the following sites:
• Intensive Care Units (ICU)
• Neonatal Intensive Care units (NICU)
• Special Care Nurseries (SCN)
These samples must be received at the testing laboratory (DSC Microbiology) within 2 hrs of receipt in the hospital laboratory
- Rejection Criteria:
-
- Mislabelled or unlabelled specimen/requisition
- Leaking specimen
- Sputum samples heavily contaminated with saliva
- If more than one sample received on the same day, then only 1 is processed
- Turnaround Times
- See Microbiology Information»
- Last Reviewed:
- 19 May 2023
