Test directory: Fungus Smear by Calcofluor White

Ordering Code6232
Test NameFungus Smear by Calcofluor White
AliasKOH
Fungal Smear by Calcofluor White
Preferred SpecimenAny Body Site
Preferred ContainerSterile Container
Other Specimen/ContainerHair, Skin scrapings, Nail, Tissue,
Sterile Body Fluids (CSF, Pleural, etc.)
Optimum VolumeAny Body Site: 5 mL of Aspirate or Eswab (or other culture swab transport)
Hair: 2-3 Hair Shafts
Skin Scrapings: 2-3 Skin Flakes
Nail: 2-3 Pieces of Nail
Tissue: 1 gm
Sterile Body Fluids (CSF, Pleural Fld, etc.): 5 mL
Collection InstructionsAny Body Site, Tissue, Sterile Body Fluids (CSF, Pleural
Fld, etc.): Indicate specimen source on the requisition
Hair: Select hair which are broken off and appear diseased and pluck them with sterile forceps. If diseased hair shafts are not apparent, scrape the edges of a scalp lesion with a sterile scalpel
Skin Scrapings: Cleanse skin lesions first with 70% alcohol to reduce bacteria and saprophytic fungi
Scrape from outer edges of skin lesions
Indicate specimen source on the requisition
Nail: Scrape the friable material beneath the edge of the nails, or scrape or clip off portions of abnormal appearing nail. Do not put the specimen in cotton plugged or rubber stopper tubes. Indicate specimen source on the requisition.
Handling InstructionsAny Body Site, Hair, Skin Scrapings, Nail, Sterile Body
Fluids (CSF, Pleural Fld, etc.): Verify with client if a culture has not been ordered with the smear
Tissue: Add sterile normal saline to prevent drying. Verify with client if a culture has not been ordered with the smear.
Transport RequirementsAny Body Site = Oahu: Ambient, Airline: Refrigerated
Hair = Oahu: Ambient, Airline: Ambient
Skin Scrapings = Oahu: Ambient, Airline: Ambient
Nail = Oahu: Ambient, Airline: Ambient
Tissue = Oahu: Refrigerated, Airline: Refrigerated
Sterile Body Fluids (CSF, Pleural Fld, etc.) =
Oahu: Refrigerated, Airline: Refrigerated
Specimen StabilityAny Body Site = Ambient: 2 Hours, Refrigerated: 24 Hours
Hair = Ambient: 3 Days, Refrigerated: 3 Days, Frozen: Not Stable
Skin Scrapings = Ambient: 3 Days, Refrigerated: 3 Days, Frozen: Not Stable
Nail = Ambient: 3 Days, Refrigerated: 3 Days, Frozen: Not Stable
Tissue = Ambient: 2 Hours, Refrigerated: 24 Hours, Frozen: Not Stable
Sterile Body Fluids (CSF, Pleural Fld, etc.) =
Ambient: 2 Hours, Refrigerated: 24 Hours, Frozen: Not Stable
CSF may be kept longer at 30-35 Deg C.
Rejection CriteriaExpired container/transport media, Leaking specimen, Dry cotton swab, No swab in media, Tissue specimen in formalin,
Syringe with needle, No cellular matter on slide, Specimen older than stability limits
Note: Consideration for processing will be given to rejected specimens that cannot be recollected (e.g. Surgical Tissue), based on consultation with ordering physician.
Avail. StatNO
Analytic Time1 Day
MethodologyFluorescent Staining

Reference range(s)

ComponentAgeMale NormMale Critical LowMale Critical HighFemale NormFemale Critical HighFemale Critical LowUnitsAdd'l info
Source:ALLSee report.
Result:ALLSee report.