Vaginal Smear for Candida




Test Mnemonic

CANSTN

CPT Codes

  • 87205 - QTY (1)

LOINC ®

14361-0

Aliases

  • Candidiasis
  • Fungal Smear
  • Gram Stain
  • Vaginitis
  • Vaginosis
  • Vaginosis Exam

Includes

  • Microscopic examination for fungal elements

Performing Laboratory

Cleveland Clinic Laboratories


Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
UnspecifiedVaginalSwabAmbientAmbientCulturette swab in non-nutritive transport medium (eg, Amies or Stuart)

Minimum Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
Unspecified     

Stability

Environmental Condition Description
Ambient1 week
Refrigerated1 week
FrozenUnacceptable

Days Performed

Sun - Sat

Turnaround Time

1 day

Methodology

Name Description
Gram Stain 

Reference Range

Fungal Smear
Sex Age From Age To Type Range Range Unit
       No fungus seen 

Special Info

The Vaginal Smear for Candida is used for the confirmation of vulvovaginal candidiasis. Exudative material in a sterile container or exudative material on a swab should be submitted for microscopic examination to detect the presence of yeasts.

Clinical Info

This test is constructed for the confirmation of the presence of yeasts, primarily Candida species, in women clinically suspected to have vulvovaginal candidiasis. This order should not be used for other sites; specimens from other sites will be rejected. Fungal cultures from other sites should use FCULSM for fungal culture and smear for specimens other than hair/skin/nails. Cultures of hair/skin/nails for the detection of dermatophytes should use FHSNSM. If it is unclear that the patient has candidiasis and additional tests for Trichomonas and bacterial vaginosis are being ordered (i.e. all three tests), then the recommended test is the Affirm (VAGDNA)