Laboratory: Clinical Microbiology
Test Name:
BLOOD, CULTURE, DIMORPHIC FUNGI (HISTOPLASMA, BLASTOMYCES)/MALASSEZIA/MOULDS, MYCO/F LYTIC BLOOD CULTURE BOTTLE - (B)
Test Code: BLDF
Clinical Information:
Test Indications:
Suspected Malassezia fungemia, systemic histoplasmosis, systemic blastomycosis, systemic coccidioidomycosis, systemic talaromycosis, and invasive mould disease, including mould endocarditis and invasive mucormycosis.

Recommendations:
1. A special collection device is required for this blood culture. Please contact your Shared Health Microbiology Laboratory to obtain the device. Consultation with a Microbiologist may be required.
2. A single venipuncture is acceptable for this test. All patients should have 10 mL of blood drawn. Divide the 10 mL of blood equally and inject into two Myco/F Lytic blood culture bottles (no more than 5 mL of blood in each bottle).
3. All samples MUST be taken by aseptic technique. Venipuncture site must be washed TWICE for a minimum of 15 seconds with CHLORHEXIDINE-GLUCONATE-ALCOHOL swabs and allowed to dry completely before sampling. ALCOHOL SWABS AND POVIDONE ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR SITE PREPARATION. The top of the blood culture bottle should be decontaminated with alcohol-chlorhexidine or alcohol swabs and allowed to dry completely.
4. ALWAYS INDICATE SUSPECTED DIAGNOSIS (e.g., histoplasmosis) ON THE REQUISITION.
5. For Legionella or Bartonella blood culture, see Blood Culture Aerobic/Anaerobic Bacteria.

Patient Preparation Instructions:
Accurate patient identification must be made prior to sample collection.
Samples and requisitions must be labeled/completed in accordance with the Shared Health Specimen Acceptance Policy.  Specimens should be collected before antibacterials or antifungals are administered.
Collection Devices:
2 (two) Myco/F Lytic blood culture bottles
Specimens received in other collection devices will not be processed.
Specimen Required: Adult and Pediatric:  10 mL whole blood
 
Referral:
Requisition:
Reference Values:
Negative.  For positive samples, a descriptive report will be provided.
Availability:
Daily
See Also:
More Information:
Specimen Handling:
Specimens must be delivered to the laboratory as soon as possible and must be received by the laboratory performing the test no more than 16 hours after collection.  If the patient has received antifungals or antibacterial agents, the specimen should be received within 1 hour of collection.  Ensure specimens are sent using appropriate packaging in accordance with Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulation.