Culture (Fungal)

There are several different types of fungal infections (mycoses). The most common are caused by dermatophytes, which colonize dead
keratinized tissue as skin, hair and nails causing superficial infections(ringworm) which are difficult to treat, but normally not serious. Other
fungi may be part of the normal microflora, but develop pathogenicity in people with lowered immunity. Candida species cause yeast
infections in the mucosal tissues of many healthy people, but cause more severe diseases (candidiasis) in the immunocompromised.
Other fungi may inhaled as spores and initiate infection through the lungs, including Coccidioides immitis (coccidioidomycosis),
Histoplasma capsulatum (histoplasmosis) and Aspergillus fumigatus, one of the most important of opportunistic molds causing a
disease known as aspergillosis. Fungal meningitis can be caused by several agents such as, Cryptococcus, Histoplasma, Blastomyces,
and Coccidioides. It develops after a fungus spreads through the bloodstream from an infection to the brain or spinal cord.

Preliminary screening by 10% KOH preparation may be performed, the specimen is cultured directly on general purpose media as sabouraud dextrose agar (SAB). Other specific media may be used based on the type of the expected isolate. SAB is incubated at 30°C for up to 3 weeks (21 days). A scotch tape preparation slide of each fungus colony type using Lacto Phenol Cotton Blue (LPCB) is prepared and examined under the light microscope for the presence, shape, size and attachment of conidia, hyphae and other features. The features are compared with those described in a reference atlas. Yeast can be grown for differentiation in chromogenic media or Cornmeal agar for comparison of distinctive features.

From the corresponding site Room Temperature

Collect samples in a sterile, leak-proof container. Specimens should be transported to the lab and cultured as soon as possible. All request should have complete and sufficient clinical data. If identification by PCR are requested see instructions for collection and storage.

No Growth