Mycology Primary Specimen Collection Guide

TEST	SPECIMEN	COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS	TRANSPORT
Mycology Primary Specimen Identification	Abscess	Clean abscess surface with sterile saline or 70% alcohol. Collect fluid/abscess material into clean tube and swab in Modified Amies Clear media (available at lab). Fluid or abscess material is preferred over swab.	Room temperature (15-30°C)
	CSF	Collect 3-5 ml into sterile screw-cap tube. Transport to laboratory within 24 hours.	Room temperature (15-30°C)
	Ear	Collect swab of infected area and transport in Modified Amies Clear media (available at lab).	Room temperature (15-30°C)
	Hair	Collect 5-10 hairs (and base of shaft) in clean tube or container, in paper envelope, or directly inoculated onto IMA media (Inhibitory Mold Agar).	Room temperature (15-30°C)
	Mucocutaneous membranes	Collect swab of infected area (e.g., mouth, vagina, urethra) and transport in Modified Amies Clear media (available at lab).	Room temperature (15-30°C)
	Nails	Clean nail with 70% alcohol. Scrape nail and discard. Scrape nail again from infected area and save in sterile container, paper envelope, or directly inoculated onto IMA media (Inhibitory Mold Agar).	Room temperature (15-30°C)
	Respiratory	Collect 7-10 ml of aerosol, early morning sputum, tracheal aspirate, lung biopsy, or bronchoscopy specimen in sterile container.	Refrigerated (2-8°C)
	Skin	Clean skin with 70% alcohol. Scrape lesion at the active margin but do not draw blood. Place scrapings in clean container or directly inoculate onto IMA media (Inhibitory Mold Agar).	Room temperature (15-30°C)
	Swabs for C. auris surveillance	Collect swab of axilla and groin area with BD Eswab Collection and Transport System with Modified Amies Clear medium (available at lab).	Refrigerated (2-8°C)
	Tissue	Submit in sterile container with a small amount of sterile saline. Do not allow tissue to dry out.	Room temperature (15-30°C)
	Urine	Collect 25-30 ml of catheterized or early morning clean catch urine into a sterile container.	Refrigerated (2-8°C)