Fungal Culture Test
Reviewed
A fungal culture test helps diagnose fungal infections by growing and identifying fungi from a sample taken from the affected body site.
Preparation and collection
You don't need any special preparations to test for a fungal infection.
Understanding this test
Use the reference interval and units printed by the laboratory that performed the test. A result outside that interval is not a diagnosis by itself, and a result inside it does not rule out every condition. Your symptoms, history, medicines, timing, and related tests can change what the result means.
- 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.