Mycology Primary Specimen Collection Guide

TEST	SPECIMEN	COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS	TRANSPORT
Mycology Primary Specimen Identification	Abscess	Clean abscess surface with sterile saline or 70% alcohol. Collect fluid/abscess material into clean tube and swab in Modified Amies Clear media (available at lab). Fluid or abscess material is preferred over swab.	Room temperature (15-30°C) within 72 hours
	CSF	Collect 3-5 ml into sterile screw-cap tube. Transport to laboratory within 24 hours.	Room temperature (15-30°C) within 24 hours
	Ear	Collect swab of infected area and transport in Modified Amies Clear media (available at lab).	Room temperature (15-30°C) within 72 hours
	Hair	Collect 5-10 hairs (and base of shaft) in clean tube or container, in paper envelope, or directly inoculated onto IMA media (Inhibitory Mold Agar).	Room temperature (15-30°C) within 72 hours
	Mucocutaneous membranes	Collect swab of infected area (e.g., mouth, vagina, urethra) and transport in Modified Amies Clear media (available at lab).	Room temperature (15-30°C) within 72 hours
	Nails	Clean nail with 70% alcohol. Scrape nail and discard. Scrape nail again from infected area and save in sterile container, paper envelope, or directly inoculated onto IMA media (Inhibitory Mold Agar).	Room temperature (15-30°C) within 72 hours
	Respiratory	Collect 7-10 ml of aerosol, early morning sputum, tracheal aspirate, lung biopsy, or bronchoscopy specimen in sterile container.	Refrigerated (2-8°C) within 72 hours
	Skin	Clean skin with 70% alcohol. Scrape lesion at the active margin but do not draw blood. Place scrapings in clean container or directly inoculate onto IMA media (Inhibitory Mold Agar).	Room temperature (15-30°C) within 72 hours
	Swabs for C. auris surveillance	Collect swab of axilla and groin area with BD Eswab Collection and Transport System with Modified Amies Clear medium (available at lab).	Refrigerated (2-8°C) within 96 hours
	Tissue	Submit in sterile container with a small amount of sterile saline. Do not allow tissue to dry out.	Room temperature (15-30°C) within 72 hours
	Urine	Collect 25-30 ml of catheterized or early morning clean catch urine into a sterile container.	Refrigerated (2-8°C) within 72 hours