IMPORTANT! Pre-approval needed from state or local health department. Local or State Health Department. Send approval to
NPHL@unmc.edu or call (402) 559-9444.
NPHL has moved to an electronic ordering system, NUlirt, and it is now the preferred method to order all tests. Once ordered, print a "batch list" (see
NUlirt Guide).
Forms Required - Nulirt batch list or NPHL Test Request Form (completed in entirety) must accompany the specimen to include the following information: symptoms and date of onset, pregnancy status, travel and vaccine history. Testing
will not be performed without all required information.
Please call NPHL Client Services at (402) 559-2440 or toll free at (800) 334-0459 for further clarification.
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| Test: |
Fungus Culture
Order in NUlirt or complete NPHL Test Order Form
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| Synonym: |
Mycology Culture
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| Method: |
Standard reference procedures for fungal culture. DNA probes available on isolate for Histoplasma, Coccidioides and Blastomyces.
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| Availability: |
Test performed Daily. Preliminary report at 2 weeks, final report at 4 weeks.
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| Specimen: |
Tissue, pus, purulent fluid, respiratory, body fluid, body site, fluid, skin biopsy.
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| Collection Device: |
Collect in a sterile container or a Culturette swab.
Specimen Labeling: Test subject to CLIA regulations and requires 2 patient identifiers and specimen source on container.
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| Volume: |
5.0 mL fluid minimum
|
| Storage/Transport: |
Prior to and during shipment: Transport and store all sterile body sites (fluids, tissues, etc.) at ambient 15-25°C; nonsterile sites (respiratory, GI tract etc.) at 2-8°C.
Shipping instructions, including specimen-handling requirements during transport: Seal screw-top tubes with Parafilm™ or tape and place in biohazard bag with absorbent material.
Refrigerate- Place specimen inside leak proof secondary container (biohazard bag and if transporting by air, use Tyvek™ Envelope) with adsorbent material. The secondary container must be packed inside an approved Category B shipping container filled with frozen gel-packs to keep specimen refrigerated. Position NUlirt packing list or NPHL Test Order form between secondary container and box lid. Seal with tape.
Ambient - Place specimen inside leak proof secondary container (biohazard bag and if transporting by air, use Tyvek™ Envelope) with adsorbent material. The secondary container must be packed inside an approved Category B shipping container. Position NUlirt packing list or NPHL Test Order form between secondary container and box lid. Seal with tape.
Label outer box as UN3373 Category B, Biological Substance. Transport by NPHL ground courier. If courier not available, ship by FedEx, UPS, or USPS (1st Class, Priority or Express Mail). Follow appropriate DOT/IATA Regulation Guidelines. For assistance, call NPHL State Training Coordinator at (402) 559-3590.
See instructions and shipping address: http://nphl.org/
NUlirt packing list or appropriate paperwork (completed in entirety) must accompany specimens.
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| Unacceptable: |
Non-sterile, insufficient volume or leaking container.
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| Specimen Stability: |
Sterile body sites (fluids, tissues, etc.) at ambient 15-25°C;
Nonsterile sites (respiratory, GI tract etc.) at 2-8°C.
|
| Reference Interval: |
No fungi isolated at 4 weeks.
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| Reportable Disease: |
Report positive Coccidioides and Histoplasma within 7 days to local or state health department. Refer to Nebraska DHHS Title 173, Communicable Diseases.
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| Comments: |
Pre-approval needed from state or local health department. Send approval to NPHL@unmc.edu or call (402) 559-9444.
Indicate suspected organism(s) on the test request form. Additional patient history may be helpful. Include the patient’s occupation, history of travel or residence abroad, and any animal contact. Media is available for direct inoculation.
If CSF cannot be transported within 8 hours, hold CSF at 35°C until the time of transport. For blood specimens, refer to Culture, Fungal Blood.
Notification of positive results for mold or positive CSF cultures is provided. For skin, hair, nail specimens, see Culture, Fungus-Dermatophyte order.
NUlirt packing list or NPHL Test Order Form (completed in entirety) must accompany the specimen.
|
| Revised: |
6/9/2021 |
If you have questions about proper specimen collection, please call
NPHL Client Services at (402) 559-2440 or toll free at (800) 334-0459.
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