Department of Microbiology

- Bacteriology
- Virology
- Mycology
- Parasitology
- Mycobacterology
- Molecular Microbiology

- WNV Test Request Form
- WNV Serology
- WNV PCR
- HSV PCR Request Form

- Microbiology
- OutBreak

Mycology Service

Blood
SPECIMEN TYPE	TEST	CONTAINER	NOTES
Blood	Cryptococcal antigen	5mL Red top, SST; 2mL microcontainer for neonates Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Mycology Expected Time for Results: 24 - 72 hours
Blood Culture
SPECIMEN TYPE	TEST	CONTAINER	NOTES
Blood from adult	Fungus	8 - 10 mL of blood in BacT/Alert aerobic only bottle Specimen Holding Temperature: 35°C	Area: Mycology Expected Time for Results: 28 days unless positive *Positive results are phoned & faxed immediately.
Blood from neonate	Fungus	BacT/Alert, up to 1 mL in pediatric bottle Specimen Holding Temperature: 35°C	Area: Mycology Expected Time for Results: Prelim: 48 hours; Final: 28 days; unless positive *Positive results are phoned & faxed immediately.
Ear, Nose, and Throat
SPECIMEN TYPE	TEST	CONTAINER	NOTES
Ear swab	Fungus culture	Swab in Amies transport medium Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Mycology Expected Time for Results: Fungal stain: 24 hours; Final: 4 weeks
Sinus or antral lavage	Fungus culture	Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Mycology Expected Time for Results: Fungal stain: 24 hours, Final: 4 weeks
Eye
SPECIMEN TYPE	TEST	CONTAINER	NOTES
Corneal scraping	Fungus culture	1 - 3 smear(s); inoculate culture media Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C for media, RT for slides	Area: Mycology Expected Time for Results: Fungal stain: 24 hours; Final: 4 weeks
Intraocular aspirate (anterior / aqueous chamber vitreous fluid)	Fungus culture	Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Mycology Expected Time for Results: Fungal stain: 24 hours; Final: 4 weeks
Respiratory Tract
SPECIMEN TYPE	TEST	CONTAINER	NOTES
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)	Fungus culture	Sterile container, 1 mL Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Mycology Expected Time for Results: Fungal stain: 24 hours, Final: 4 weeks Notes: All bronchoscopy specimens will be routinely processed for bacterial and mycobacterial cultures.
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)	Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP)	Sterile container, 1 mL Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Mycology Expected Time for Results: 18 - 24 hours
Bronchoscopy aspirates, washings or lung needle aspirates	Fungus culture	Sterile container, 1 mL Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Mycology Expected Time for Results: Fungal stain: 24 hours, Final: 4 weeks Notes: All bronchoscopy specimens will be routinely processed for bacterial and mycobacterial cultures.
Bronchoscopy aspirates, washings or lung needle aspirates	Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP)	Sterile container, 2mL Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Mycology Expected Time for Results: 18 - 24 hours
Lung biopsy (transbronchial or open lung)	Fungus culture	Sterile container with sterile saline Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Mycology Expected Time for Results: Fungal stain: 24 hours, Final: 4 weeks Notes: Bacterial, mycobacterial, fungal, and viral cultures will routinely processed for these specimens. The appropripriate requistions should be supplied when these specimens are sent.
Sputum (including endotracheal tube)	Fungus culture	Sterile container or endotracheal tube Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Mycology Expected Time for Results: Fungal stain: 24 hours, Final: 4 weeks
Spinal Fluids and Other Sterile Body Fluids
SPECIMEN TYPE	TEST	CONTAINER	NOTES
Spinal fluid (CSF)	Cryptococcal antigen	Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: Room temperature - 4°C	Area: Mycology Expected Time for Results: 24 hours Notes: Test suitable for CSF and serum only
Spinal fluid (CSF) or other sterile body fluids	Fungus culture	Sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: Room temperature - 4°C	Area: Mycology Expected Time for Results: Fungal stain: 24 hours, Final: 4 weeks
Tissues and Biopsy
SPECIMEN TYPE	TEST	CONTAINER	NOTES
Heart valve (tissue/biopsy)	Fungus culture	Sterile container with sterile saline Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Mycology Expected Time for Results: Fungal stain: 24 hours, Final: 4 weeks
Tissue and biopsy	Fungus culture	Sterile container with sterile saline Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Mycology Expected Time for Results: Fungal stain: 24 hours, Final: 4 weeks
Urine
SPECIMEN TYPE	TEST	CONTAINER	NOTES
Mid-stream urine (MSU)	Fungus culture	Mid-stream urine in sterile container Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Mycology Expected Time for Results: Fungal stain: 24 hours, Final: 4 weeks Notes: Urine specimens requesting C&S will be examined for Candida. If other fungi are suspected, they must be specified.
Wounds/Skin Vesicles
SPECIMEN TYPE	TEST	CONTAINER	NOTES
Deep wound and aspirate	Fungus culture	Swab in Amies transport medium Specimen Holding Temperature: 4°C	Area: Mycology Expected Time for Results: Fungal stain: 24 hours, Final: 4 weeks