Fungal Culture Specimens

Microbiology Specimen Collection & Transport Guide

Fungal Culture Specimens

Swabs are not an acceptable specimen type for fungal culture.

Swabs exhibit poor recovery of filamentous fungi (mold), compromising the accuracy and quality of results.

The Test Directory provides a comprehensive list of all accepted specimen types, transport instructions, and other testing-related details.

Download this Guide (.pdf)

Specimen Collection & Transport

Sterile Specimen Container

Order Sterile Containers

Test Name:

  • Fungal Culture & Smear (FCULSM)
  • Fungal Culture (FCUL)

Specimen Type

  • Tissue
  • Body fluids (excluding blood, CSF, urine)
  • Implant/device

Test Name:

  • Fungal Culture & Smear – Dermal (FHSNSM)
  • Fungal culture – Dermal (ACFSC)

Specimen Type

  • Hair (Not suitable for bacterial culture)
  • Skin
  • Nails (Not suitable for bacterial culture)

Specimens large enough to be visible are only accepted for the recovery of fungal organisms.

Test Name:

  • Fungal, CSF Culture & CAD (FUNCSF)

Specimen Type

  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Gold Serum Separator Tube (SST)

Order Gold Serum Separation Tubes

Test Name:

  • Cryptococcal Antigen Screen & Titer by LFA (CAD)

Specimen Type

  • Serum, 1 mL

Cultures are only performed on CSF.

eSwab®

Order eSwabs

Test Name:

eSwabs are only acceptable for suspected yeast infections.

Susceptibility testing is only performed on request by calling Client Services at 800.628.6816

Specimen Type

  • Oral
  • Throat
  • Urogenital
  • Ear*
  • Eye*

*Ear and eye specimens will be held for 28 days.

Sodium Heparin Tube

Order Sodium Heparin Tubes

Test Name:

  • Fungal, Blood & Bone Marrow (HISTCL)

Specimen Type

  • Blood, 10 mL
  • Bone marrow, 1–2 mL

Laboratory Resources