Fungal Culture, Blood

Interpretation

Method

BacT/ALERT bottle is incubated in the BioMerieux Virtuo which continuously monitors the bottles for growth of microorganisms. Once growth is detected, a rapid identification system is used to identify organisms and resistance genes. See FEE: Filmarray Blood Culture Identification [ADBCBF]. Organisms are isolated on solid agar media using conventional culture techniques. Final identification of any bacteria isolated is by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry or molecular sequencing. Susceptibility testing is performed on most isolates. Staphylococcus species that are coagulase negative (except S. lugdenensis), Bacillus species and presumptive diphtheroids do not get automatic susceptibility testing. Please inform lab if susceptibility testing is needed for those isolates.

Susceptibility testing for most Candida species are performed in house. Mould susceptibilities are sent out.

Reference Range

See individual components

Ordering & Collection

Specimen Type

Blood

Collection

Disinfect draw site AND BOTTLE TOP. Allow to dry. Collect 8-10 mL blood in 1 FA Plus aerobic blood culture bottle. Note: If ordered in conjunction with Bacterial blood culture, only one bottle is needed for both the routine bacterial culture and the fungal culture.

UW-Montlake: Also acceptable: approximately 8 mL in 1 Yellow Top SPS tubes [UW-MT PMM order #: 100409, NOT an ACD tube]. DO NOT send blood in Yellow top SPS tubes if the suspected organism is Neisseria species, Streptobacillus moniliformis, Peptostreptococcus species, or Gardnerella vaginalis because SPS may inhibit the recovery of these organisms.

BacT/Alert blood culture bottle collection, labeling and transport information

Handling Instructions

Do NOT overfill or underfill. Do not place patient label over the barcode label. Note: Whenever possible, inoculate the maximum volume for optimal sensitivity of culture. Refer to "Nursing Services Policy and Procedures for Nursing Care: Obtaining Blood Culture" procedure (UW-MT).

Transport at room temperature to the laboratory ideally within 30 minutes after collection, or within 24 hours if transporting from an outside location. Specimens received in blood culture bottles or yellow top SPS tubes >24 hours after collection will be rejected.

Transport in the pneumatic tube system: Place plastic blood culture bottles in a large biohazard specimen bag with the request slip. Then place the bagged bottles between TWO sections of foam padding inserts before sending the specimens in the pneumatic tube system.

Quantity

Requested: 8-10 mL blood in aerobic blood culture bottle. Use fill lines on the side of the bottle to gauge the correct blood volume.
Minimum: 0.5 mL in one aerobic blood culture bottle.

Processing

Receiving Instructions

At SDES prompt, add the phlebotomy site after "BLUD." At SREQ prompt, enter the bottle description, e.g. BLUD-ALINE, AABT. If SPS tubes are received, inoculate into blood culture bottles. Bottles should be placed in blood culture instrument ASAP.

Misc Sendout

Performance

Lab Department

Microbiology(MC)

Frequency

Processed upon receipt

Available STAT?

No

Performing Location(s)

HMC	Microbiology 206-744-5858 325 9th Ave, Rm # GWH-47, Seattle, WA 98104-2420
UW-NW	Main Lab 206-668-1344 UW Medical Center – Northwest 1550 N 115th Street, A200 Seattle, WA 98133
FHCC	Fred Hutch Alliance Lab 206-606-1088 825 Eastlake Ave, Seattle, WA 98109
UW-MT	Microbiology 206-520-4600 Clinical Lab, Room # NW177, University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific street, Seattle, WA 98195

Other Locations/Notes

UW-NW: Positive blood culture workup and susceptibility testing is performed at UW-MT. Please contact the UW Microbiology lab at 206-598-6147 with questions regarding positive culture results.

Billing & Coding

CPT Codes

87103

LOINC

601-5

Interfaced Order Code

UOW1892