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) |
| | 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) |
| | 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 |
