Kenya Medical Laboratory Tests

Fungal Culture, Dermal Test in Kenya

Brief Description

A fungal culture is a procedure used to determine if fungi are present in an area of the skin. This aids in establishing diagnosis of fungal infections.

Synonyms

Mycology Culture, Fungus Culture, Culture for Dermatophytes

Patient Preparation

No special preparations required

Sample Type

Scrapings of scale, skin biopsy, moist swab from a mucosal, Nail clippings

Sample volume

2 mL or 1 cm³ tissue

Sample collection Container

Sterile container for tissue 

Sample collection instructions

For Biopsy sample, a small amount of sterile nonbacteriostatic water should be added to prevent drying. For skin, the area is cleansed with 70% alcohol and a portion from the active border of the lesion collected.

Sample storage

Maintained at room temperature

Reference range

Presence/Absence of fungi

Results Turnaround

42 days after receipt of samples

Diseases / Diagnostic Indicators

Presence of fungi is associated with common types of fungal infections such as ringworm, athlete’s foot, jock itch.