Laboratory Test Directory

Synonyms: Fungus blood culture, Blood, Fungus culture

CPT 4 Code: 87103

Test Order Mnemonic: C MAF (AFB & fungi), F MBLD (Fungus only)

Test Includes: Isolation and identification of fungus

Lab: Mycology

Request Form: Microbiology

Collection: Cleanse skin site thoroughly. Use a syringe or butterfly to collect 5 ml of blood. Pediatric patients, collect 1-3mL of blood. Inject blood into the alcohol-cleaned Myco-F lytic (red label) bottle.

Storage Instructions: Room temperature. Do not refrigerate.

Causes for Rejection: Improper collection, more than 2 cultures in 5 days.

Availability: Samples are accepted 24 hours per day at the Microbiology Processing Laboratory, Room 5.137 McCullough.

Turnaround Time: Cultures are held 6 weeks.

Special Instructions: Collect specimens using aseptic technique since contamination may lead to false positive results. Collect two sets of cultures per febrile episode. Positive culture results are considered a critical value and notification will be performed upon recognition of the positive result. DO NOT COVER THE BAR CODE LABEL.

Specimen: Blood

Volume: 5 ml

Container: Bactec Myco-F bottle, available from Materials Management

Critical Values: Positive culture

Test Method: Bactec 9240

Revised/reviewed 10/21/2011 by T. Friloux