Blood Fungus Culture Test

Synonyms

Fungus Culture Blood

What the Test Includes

This test involves inoculating blood directly into fungal-specific culture media at the time of collection. It is essential for identifying fungemia and diagnosing fungal infections in immunocompromised individuals.

Patient Care & Preparation

Follow preparation steps similar to Blood Culture: Aerobic and Anaerobic, including antiseptic site cleaning using alcohol and iodine.

Specimen & Collection Procedure

Specimen: Venous blood
Container: Biphasic fungal culture media or Isolator™ lysis centrifugation tubes
Collection Volume: 8–10 mL of blood
Method: Aseptic technique using sodium polyanethol sulfonate (SPS) anticoagulant

Sample Rejection Criteria

Samples without labeling or improperly collected specimens are rejected.

Turnaround Time

Preliminary report: 1–2 days
Final negative result: 4–6 weeks

Clinical Use

Used to isolate fungi such as Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Histoplasma capsulatum, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Coccidioides immitis. Helps in diagnosing:

Fungemia
Fungal endocarditis
Disseminated mycoses

Limitations

Fungal infection may be present even if the blood culture is negative.
Tissue biopsy or bone marrow sampling may be necessary for definitive diagnosis.
Some Candida species may grow in standard bacterial blood cultures.

Methodology

Lysis centrifugation with subculture on solid media
Use of biphasic media (broth and agar)
Higher yields reported from lysis centrifugation

Additional Clinical Notes

Fungemia is often seen in patients with:

AIDS or immunodeficiency
Long-term IV catheter use
Antibiotic or chemotherapy treatment
Hyperalimentation or radiation therapy

Signs like fever >38.5°C in the absence of typical symptoms should prompt suspicion for fungal infection. A proper physical exam may identify hidden fungal lesions in the mouth, genitalia, or skin folds.

Microscopic Clues

Peripheral blood smears stained with Wright’s stain may show budding yeast or pseudohyphae—suggestive of early candidemia.

References

Bille J et al. J Clin Microbiol, 1983
Paya CV et al. Mayo Clin Proc, 1987
Dyess DL et al. Arch Surg, 1985
Wey SS et al. Arch Intern Med, 1989
Jacobs, Demott et al., “Laboratory Test Handbook,” Lexi-Comp Inc, 1994