Fungal Culture Test
Reviewed
Also called: Fungal culture and sensitivity, Mycology culture
A fungal culture test helps diagnose fungal infections by growing and identifying fungi from a sample taken from the affected body site.
Specimen: Skin scrapings, nail clippings, body fluid (swab from mouth, vagina, or open sore), blood, urine, or sputum
Why this test may be ordered
- To find out if a fungus is causing an infection
- To help identify the type of fungus causing the infection
- To decide what treatment will work best
- To check if treatment for the infection is working
Preparation and collection
You don't need any special preparations to test for a fungal infection.
Sample collection depends on the infected site: skin scrapings or nail clippings for skin/nail infections; a swab of fluid/cells from the mouth, vagina, or open sore for yeast or skin infections; a blood draw from a vein; a sterile urine sample; or coughing up sputum into a container for lung infections.
There is very little risk to having any of the fungal culture tests. If a sample of your skin is taken, you may have a little bleeding or soreness at the site. If you get a blood test, you may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
Understanding results
Your test results will usually identify the specific type of fungus causing the infection. Sometimes another test is done on your sample to help find out which type of medicine will kill the fungus or stop it from growing.
- Positive: A fungus was found in your sample. You most likely have a fungal infection. Limitation: A positive result does not distinguish between a superficial infection and a deep/systemic infection; clinical correlation is needed. Next step: Your provider will discuss treatment options based on the specific fungus identified and may order additional tests to guide medication choice.
- Negative: No fungi were found in your sample. Something else is probably causing your infection. Limitation: A negative result does not completely rule out a fungal infection, especially if the sample was taken from a site with low fungal burden or if the fungus is slow-growing. Next step: Your provider will consider other causes for your symptoms and may recommend additional testing.
- Many types of fungi grow slowly in the lab, so test results may not be ready for days or weeks.
- A negative result does not completely rule out a fungal infection, especially if the sample was taken from a site with low fungal burden or if the fungus is slow-growing.
- A positive result does not distinguish between a superficial infection and a deep/systemic infection; clinical correlation is needed.
- The test may not identify all types of fungi, and additional tests may be needed to determine the best treatment.
What to do next
If you are being treated for a fungal infection, be sure to take all your medicine as prescribed, even if you feel better. Many fungal infections clear up within a few days to weeks, but some infections require months or even years of treatment. If you have questions about your results, talk with your provider.
- What specific type of fungus was found in my sample?
- Do I need any additional tests to guide treatment?
- How long will it take for my infection to clear up?
- Are there any side effects of the antifungal medicine I should watch for?
- Can I spread this infection to others?