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Test ID: FDERM    
Fungal Culture, Dermal

Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Recovery and identification of dermatophyte fungi from hair, skin, and nail infection specimens

Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

Fungal infections of keratinized tissues (hair, skin, nails) can be caused by dermatophytic fungi belonging to the genera Epidermophyton, Microsporum, and Trichophyton. Opportunistic superficial infections resembling dermatophytoses may be caused by yeasts or by unrelated filamentous fungi that are normally saprobes or plant pathogens. Dermatophytes are usually unable to penetrate deeper tissues. Infection may range from mild to severe.

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 or yeast will be identified.

Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

Positive cultures are reported with organism identification.

 

Negative reports are issued after 30 days incubation.

Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

Aseptic techniques should be used when collecting specimens to minimize contamination. For optimal recovery of organisms, sufficient clinical material should be collected.

Clinical Reference Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature

Summerbell RC, Weitzman I, Padhye AA: Trichophyton, Microsporum, Epidermophyton and agents of superficial mycoses. In Manual of Clinical Microbiology. Ninth edition. Edited by PR Murray, EJ Baron, et al: Washington DC. ASM Press, 2007, pp 1874-1897