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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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CULTURE, FUNGUS, DERM

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB2134    Geisinger Epic ID:  7548

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Hair, skin, or nail specimen (does not include punch biopsy specimens; order Fungus Culture Other for punch biopsies)


Preferred collection container: 
Specimen required: 

Listed collection devices at room temperature


Special notes: 

Toothbrush is the preferred collection device for skin and hair specimens. Submit nails in a sterile specimen container. ESwab is acceptable but is an inferior transport device from these sources. See Microbiology Collection Appendix for collection instructions.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Transport temperature: 

Room temperature (18-25°C)


Specimen stability: 

Sterile container (dermatologic specimens): 7 days 
Toothbrush: 7 days 
ESwab: 72 hours


Rejection criteria: 

Improperly labeled/identified specimens. Expired collection/transport device. Quantity of specimen insufficient. Frozen specimens. Specimens in formalin. Delay in transport.



TEST DETAILS
Reference interval: 

No fungus isolated


Critical values/courtesy alerts: 
Specific fungal isolate
Additional information: 

Fungal cultures may be monitored for up to 3 weeks before a final report is issued


CPT code(s):  87101, 87206
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Test includes: 

Isolation and identification of specified pathogens, e.g., Candida albicans, Microsporum, Trichophyton, Epidermophyton, Fusarium, and Scopulariopsis. By physician special request, ID all organisms/speciate organisms. Additional charges may apply. Susceptibility testing of Candida species (not albicans) is available upon request. Please contact Microbiology to request.


Methodology: 
Culture
Synonyms: 

DERMATOPHYTE CULTURE, FCD, MYCOLOGY CULTURE, FUNGUS CULTURE, KOH PREP, YEAST CULTURE, MOLD CULTURE, TINEA, RINGWORM, MOLD, YEAST, FUNGUS, FUNGI, FUNGAL HAIR CULTURE, FUNGAL NAIL CULTURE, FUNGAL SKIN CULTURE, DERMATOPHYTES, DERMATOLOGICAL CULTURE, SKIN CULTURE, YEAST SKIN CULTURE, MOLD SKIN CULTURE, MOLD NAIL CULTURE, YEAST NAIL CULTURE, YEAST HAIR CULTURE, TOOTHBRUSH SCRAPING CULTURE, TOOTHBRUSH FUNGAL CULTURE


Clinical significance: 

Specific species of fungi are associated with dermatologic infection. A positive culture result can be used to guide appropriate therapy.


Doctoral Director(s): 
Donna Wolk PhD, D(ABMM)
Raquel Martinez, PhD, D(ABMM)
Review Date:  12/31/2024

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