Microbiology Test

Test : Sputum fungus culture


Indications : Sputum fungus culture test is ordered if a person is suspected to have respiratory infection caused by fungus.

An early morning sputum sample is required for the test for which you will be required to drink plenty of fluids on the day before the test.

Prior to the test you will be required to cough a few times forcefully and spit into a sterile container. If after trying hard you are unable to cough up sputum, you will have to induce it. For this you should inhale a solution in a nebulizer for about twenty minutes, after which you have to cough. The procedure is not painful although coughing up sputum may cause discomfort.

The collected sample is sent to the laboratory where it is cultured using special media that will promote the growth of fungus.

Physiology : Sputum fungus culture test detects the presence of fungus in sputum and confirms its role in suspected respiratory tract infections, or systemic infections.

Fungi are capable of causing lung infections directly, by affecting the lung tissues or it may cause an illness indirectly, by triggering an immune response when inhaled. Systemic fungal infections occur when fungal pathogens enter the blood stream and invade organs. This can be very serious, even life-threatening.

Sputum fungus culture test may be done for diagnostic purpose, to monitor the prognosis of a medical condition or to determine the effectiveness of a treatment.

Normal Range : No growth

Interpretation : Normal

Negative - No fungal growth observed in the culture

Abnormal

Positive - Fungal growth observed in culture. Common fungal pathogens present in sputum include Histoplasma capsulatum Coccidioides immitis, Cryptococcus neofromans, and Blastomyces dermatititdis.

Sample : Sputum, tracheal aspiration, bronchoscopy specimen, transtracheal aspirate.

Test Method : culture on selective media

Related Tests : Aspergillus, Bronchoalveolar lavage, Cryptococcus test, fungus smear, Histoplasmosis, KOH preperation. Nocardia culture, sputum culture, throat culture.

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