Test Id : FGEN
Fungal Culture, Routine
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Diagnosing fungal infections from specimens other than blood, skin, hair, nails, and vagina (separate tests are available for these specimen sites)
Reflex Tests
Lists tests that may or may not be performed, at an additional charge, depending on the result and interpretation of the initial tests.
Test Id | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
---|---|---|---|
D2F | D2 Fungal Sequencing Identification | No, (Bill Only) | No |
FUNA | Fungal Ident Panel A | No, (Bill Only) | No |
FUNB | Fungal Ident Panel B | No, (Bill Only) | No |
LCCI | Ident Rapid PCR Coccidioides | No, (Bill Only) | No |
LCHB | Id, Histoplasma/Blastomyces PCR | No, (Bill Only) | No |
RMALF | Id MALDI-TOF Mass Spec Fungi | No, (Bill Only) | No |
TISSR | Tissue Processing | No, (Bill Only) | No |
RMALY | Id MALDI-TOF Mass Spec Yeast | No, (Bill Only) | No |
LCCA | Id, Candida auris Rapid PCR | No, (Bill Only) | No |
Testing Algorithm
Delineates situations when tests are added to the initial order. This includes reflex and additional tests.
When this test is ordered, the reflex tests may be performed at an additional charge.
For more information see Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel Algorithm.
Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test
Conventional Agar Culture/Macroscopy/Microscopy/D2 rDNA Gene Sequencing/Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (rtPCR)/Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS)
Dimorphic Pathogen Identification Confirmation: D2 rDNA Gene Sequencing/rtPCR/MALDI-TOF MS
NY State Available
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Reporting Name
Lists a shorter or abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test
Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
Aspergillus Culture
Blastomyces Culture
Candida Culture
Coccidioides Culture
Cryptococcus Culture
Culture, Yeast
Fungus Culture
Histoplasma Culture
Mold
Mycology, Culture
Yeast Culture
FGEN
Testing Algorithm
Delineates situations when tests are added to the initial order. This includes reflex and additional tests.
When this test is ordered, the reflex tests may be performed at an additional charge.
For more information see Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel Algorithm.
Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type validated for testing
Varies
Ordering Guidance
Nocardia and the other aerobic actinomycetes are not fungi, therefore a fungal culture should not be ordered. However, these organisms grow well on mycobacterial medium. When infection with this group of organisms is suspected, order CTB / Mycobacteria and Nocardia Culture, Varies.
Shipping Instructions
Specimen should arrive within 24 hours of collection.
Necessary Information
Specimen source is required.
ORDER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Question ID | Description | Answers |
---|---|---|
Q00M0021 | Specimen Source |
Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing
Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
Preferred:
Specimen Type: Body fluid
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: Entire collection
Specimen Type: Fresh tissue
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: Pea size
Collection Instructions: Tissue should be placed in small amount of sterile saline or sterile water.
Acceptable:
Specimen Type: Bone marrow
Container/Tube: Sterile container, SPS/Isolator system, or green top (lithium or sodium heparin)
Specimen Volume: Entire collection
Specimen Type: Respiratory specimen
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: Entire collection
Specimen Type: Urine
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: 2 mL
Collection Instructions: Collect a random urine specimen.
Fresh tissue or body fluid are preferred over a swab specimen. Recovery of mycobacteria from swabs is generally very low yield. Only submit a swab specimen if tissue biopsy or fluid aspiration is not possible.
Specimen Type: Swab
Supplies: BD E-Swab (T853)
Sources: Dermal, ear, mouth, ocular, throat, or wound
Container/Tube: Sterile, screw-capped tube containing Liquid Amies Medium with flocked swab (eg, E-Swab)
Specimen Volume: 1 mL in swab container with swab
Collection Instructions:
1. Before collecting specimen, wipe away any excessive amount of secretion and discharge, if appropriate.
2. Obtain secretions or fluid from source with sterile flocked swab. Paranasal sinus collections must use a nasopharyngeal flocked swab.
3. Place flocked swab in sterile, screw-capped tube containing 1 mL of Liquid Amies Medium.
4. If smear and culture are requested or both a bacterial culture and fungal culture are requested, collect a second swab to maximize test sensitivity. Submit each swab in a separate sterile, screw-capped tube with 1 mL of Liquid Amies Medium
Special Instructions
Library of PDFs including pertinent information and forms related to the test
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Microbiology Test Request (T244) with the specimen.
Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of sample necessary to provide a clinically relevant result as determined by the testing laboratory. The minimum volume is sufficient for one attempt at testing.
Bone marrow or body fluid: 1 mL; Cerebrospinal fluid: 0.5 mL; Respiratory specimen: 1.5 mL; All other specimen types: See Specimen Required
Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
Blood or fixed tissue Specimen in viral transport medium (including but not limited to M4, M5, BD viral transport media, thioglycolate broth) Swab sources of respiratory fluids (eg, sputum) or nasal swab Wood shaft or charcoal swab Catheter tips Petri dish Stool Blades from scalpels or razors Boric acid tubes Aptima swab Culture transport swabs (eg, Culturette) | Reject |
Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the performing laboratory, alternate acceptable temperatures are also included
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Varies | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days | |
Ambient | 7 days |
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Diagnosing fungal infections from specimens other than blood, skin, hair, nails, and vagina (separate tests are available for these specimen sites)
Testing Algorithm
Delineates situations when tests are added to the initial order. This includes reflex and additional tests.
When this test is ordered, the reflex tests may be performed at an additional charge.
For more information see Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel Algorithm.
Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Many fungi in the environment cause disease in immunocompromised human hosts. Accordingly, the range of potential pathogenic fungi has increased as the number of immunosuppressed individuals (persons with AIDS, patients receiving chemotherapy or transplant rejection therapy, etc) has increased. Isolation and identification of the infecting fungus in the clinical laboratory can help guide patient care.
Reference Values
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
Negative
If positive, fungus will be identified.
Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
Positive cultures of yeast and filamentous fungi are reported with the organism identification.
The clinician must determine whether the presence of an organism is significant or not. A final negative report is issued after 24 days of incubation.
Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
For optimal recovery of organisms, sufficient specimen should be transported within 24 hours of collection.
Fungi can be pathogens, colonizers, or contaminants. Correlation of the patient clinical condition with culture results is necessary.
Clinical Reference
Recommendations for in-depth reading of a clinical nature
Ashbee HR. General approaches for direction detection and identification of fungi. In: Carroll KC, Pfaller MA, Landry ML, et al, eds. Manual of Clinical Microbiology. 12th ed. Vol 1. ASM Press; 2019:2035-2055
Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
Specimens are cultured on selective fungal media (eg, inhibitory mold agar and brain heart infusion blood agar with chloramphenicol and gentamicin). Respiratory sources also are cultured on brain heart infusion agar with chloramphenicol, gentamicin, and cycloheximide. Cultures are incubated for 24 days at 30 degrees C.
Identification of fungi is based on colonial and microscopic morphology, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, laboratory-developed real-time polymerase chain reaction assays and/or D2 ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, as applicable.(Babady NE, Buckwalter SP, Hall L, Le Febre KM, Binnicker MJ, Wengenack NL. Detection of Blastomyces dermatitidis and Histoplasma capsulatum from culture isolates and clinical specimens by use of real-time PCR. J Clin Microbiol. 2011;49[9]:3204-3208; Binnicker MJ, Buckwalter SP, Eisberner JJ, et al. Detection of Coccidioides species in clinical specimens by real-time PCR. J Clin Microbiol. 2007;45[1]:173-178; Dhiman N, Hall L, Wohlfiel SL, Buckwalter SP, Wengenack NL. Performance and cost analysis of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry for routine identification of yeast. J Clin Microbiol. 2011;49[4]:1614-1616; Hall L, Wohlfiel S, Roberts GD. Experience with the MicroSeq D2 large-subunit ribosomal DNA sequencing kit for identification of filamentous fungi encountered in the clinical laboratory. J Clin Microbiol. 2004;42[2]:622-626; Theel ES, Schmitt BH, Hall L, et al. Formic acid-based direct, on-plate testing of yeast and Corynebacterium species by Bruker Biotyper matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. J Clin Microbiol. 2012;50[9]:3093-3095; Theel ES, Hall L, Mandrekar J, Wengenack NL. Dermatophyte identification using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. J Clin Microbiol. 2011;49[12]:4067-4071; Fida M, Wengenack NL, Theel ES. Mycology: General approaches for direct and indirect detection and identification of fungi. In: Carroll KC, Pfaller MA, Pritt BS, et al. Manual of Clinical Microbiology. 13th ed. ASM Press; 2023)
PDF Report
Indicates whether the report includes an additional document with charts, images or other enriched information
Day(s) Performed
Outlines the days the test is performed. This field reflects the day that the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means that assays are performed multiple times during the day.
Monday through Sunday
Report Available
The interval of time (receipt of sample at Mayo Clinic Laboratories to results available) taking into account standard setup days and weekends. The first day is the time that it typically takes for a result to be available. The last day is the time it might take, accounting for any necessary repeated testing.
Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location
Indicates the location of the laboratory that performs the test
Fees :
Several factors determine the fee charged to perform a test. Contact your U.S. or International Regional Manager for information about establishing a fee schedule or to learn more about resources to optimize test selection.
- Authorized users can sign in to Test Prices for detailed fee information.
- Clients without access to Test Prices can contact Customer Service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Prospective clients should contact their account representative. For assistance, contact Customer Service.
Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR) product.
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.
CPT Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Clinic Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.
CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.
87102-Fungal culture, routine
87106-Id MALDI-TOF Mass Spec Yeast (if appropriate)
87107-Id MALDI-TOF Mass Spec Fungi (if appropriate)
87107-Fungal identification panel A (if appropriate)
87107-Fungal identification panel B (if appropriate)
87150 x 2-Identification Histoplasma/Blastomyces, PCR (if appropriate)
87153-D2 fungal sequencing identification (if appropriate)
87176-Tissue processing (if appropriate)
87150- Id, Candida auris Rapid PCR (if appropriate)
LOINC® Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the order and results codes of this test. LOINC values are provided by the performing laboratory.
Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
FGEN | Fungal Culture, Routine | 51723-5 |
Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
---|---|---|
FGEN | Fungal Culture, Routine | 51723-5 |
Test Setup Resources
Setup Files
Test setup information contains test file definition details to support order and result interfacing between Mayo Clinic Laboratories and your Laboratory Information System.
Sample Reports
Normal and Abnormal sample reports are provided as references for report appearance.
SI Sample Reports
International System (SI) of Unit reports are provided for a limited number of tests. These reports are intended for international account use and are only available through MayoLINK accounts that have been defined to receive them.
Test Update Resources
Change Type | Effective Date |
---|---|
Test Changes - Specimen Information | 2025-07-01 |