Fluid Fungal Culture in Blood Culture Bottle

Specify source of specimen, preferably using pre-defined specimen descriptors in CPOE.

This test is intended for the fungal culture of sterile body fluids (other than urine, blood, BAL or bone marrow). This culture does NOT include a direct exam.

If direct exam (KOH) is needed, send fluid in a sterile specimen container to the Microbiology laboratory. See Fluid Culture with Direct Fungal Exam [FLDF].

For CSF fungal culture, see CSF Fungal Culture [CSFF].

For blood/urine/BAL/bone marrow see separate test guide entries specific to these sites.

Preferred: Fluid in sterile specimen container or syringe (remove needle and replace with Luer tip cap).

If inoculating blood culture bottles directly, disinfect BOTTLE TOPS. Allow to dry. Inoculate 8-10 mL body fluid into 1 aerobic (FA PLUS) blood culture bottle. Send additional fluid in sterile container for direct exam (recommended). Do NOT overfill or under fill. Do not place patient label over the barcode label. Only BacT/ALERT blood culture bottles will be accepted.

Note: If possible, inoculate the maximum volume for optimal sensitivity of culture.

UW-MT: If ordered in conjunction with bacterial culture, only one bottle is needed for both the routine bacterial culture and the fungal culture.

Transport specimens collected in a syringe or sterile container within 2 hours and pre-inoculated blood culture bottles within 30 minutes after collection at room temperature.

Transport in the pneumatic tube system: plastic BacT/ALERT blood culture bottles must first be placed in a large sealed 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. Please send any additional fluid in a separate pneumatic tube.

If specimen is received >12 hours after collection, viability of organisms may be significantly reduced. Specimens received > 24 hours after collection, or collected with expired transport media will be rejected.

FLDFBC should ONLY be ordered if a blood culture bottle is received pre-inoculated without an additional sterile container of fluid. If container of fluid is received, order an FLDF instead.

For other fluid types, see Lab Mnemonics: CSFF, BLDF, BNMF