Due to the sensitive nature of fungal cultures, it’s critical samples are submitted properly. The following guide offers instructions to assist clients in submitting the most appropriate sample for culture. When submitting samples for fungal culture, please include pertinent history, including any anti-fungal treatment or pathology results. As a reminder, fungal cultures can take up to 21 days as some organisms are slow growing.
TVMDL sets up all fungal cases, including dermatophytes suspects, on multiple types of fungal culture media in order to optimize isolation.
DO SUBMIT: Fresh tissue biopsy in red top tube or similar sterile container – NOT floating in saline or broth.
DO SUBMIT: Hair plucked from the periphery of the skin lesion and submit in a clean or sterile container not a bacterial culturette.
If the patient does not have discrete areas of alopecia, a toothbrush that has been brushed over the patient’s body, can be submitted.
Whenever possible, submit the actual clinical specimen, as DTM plates, jars, or slants, are often non-diagnostic.
Bacterial culturette swabs select for bacteria and make isolating fungal organisms more difficult.