What are the other Names for this
Test? (Equivalent Terms)
- Calcofluor White Stain Blood Test
- Mycology Blood Test
- Potassium Hydroxide Preparation Blood Test
What is Fungal Infection Blood
Test? (Background Information)
- Fungal Infection Blood Test is a common
term for a variety of test methods to detect the presence of fungus in a blood
sample. These methods may include smear test, antigen detection through
molecular testing methods and culture, antibody detection test, and fungal
culture
- Fungi (plural for fungus) are a diverse,
complex group of microscopic organisms. A small subset may cause diseases that,
in healthy individuals, are usually mild. However, those with weakened immune
systems may experience severe illness. Over 50,000 different species of fungi
exist in nature. Of these, less than 200 species can infect humans and only 50
commonly do so
- Fungi undergo a complex, two-phase life
cycle. During their vegetative phase, fungi grow and develop. They then
reproduce during their reproductive phase
- Yeasts are fungi that are single-celled and
grow filaments during their reproductive phase. Molds are multi-celled and
filamentous throughout their life cycles
- Many disease-causing fungi switch between
yeast and mold forms depending on the temperature of their surroundings. At
room temperature (25°C), they grow as multicellular molds. They then convert to
single-celled yeasts when they enter a human host (body temperature at 37°C)
- Fungal infections are called mycoses and they can infect different parts of the body. They fall into any of the 3 categories:
- Superficial mycoses of the skin and nails
- Subcutaneous mycoses beneath the skin
- Systemic mycoses involving multiple organs and organ systems
- Superficial and subcutaneous mycoses are
fairly common. Examples include jock itch, ringworm, and athlete’s foot, which
are caused by Trichophyton species. Other examples include genital infections
caused by Candida species
- Systemic mycoses are most commonly observed
in those with underdeveloped or weakened immune systems. These include
individuals affected by HIV infection, undergoing cancer and immunosuppressant
therapy, etc.
- Fungal Infection Blood Tests are a series
of tests to identify mycoses in blood. Different tests are performed depending
on the type of mycosis
- Tests for superficial and subcutaneous mycoses include:
- Potassium hydroxide (KOH) prep: Microscopic observation of a sample for structures belonging to fungi
- Calcofluor stain: Dye that stains fungal structures
- Fungal culture: Tests for growth of a sample in media under fungi-specific conditions. This test yields slower results, but allows for susceptibility testing
- Tests for systemic mycoses include:
- Susceptibility tests: Applying various antifungal medications to a fungal culture to determine the most effective treatment for an individual’s mycosis
- Antigen tests: Identify various structures specific to fungi
- Antibody tests: Detection of specific antibodies created by the immune system upon exposure to fungi
- Genetic material tests: The use of PCR to detect traces of specific DNA and RNA that fungi are known to possess, but that which is absent in humans
What are the Clinical Indications
for performing the Fungal Infection Blood Test?
Following are the clinical indications for performing Fungal Infection Blood Tests:
- Fever, chills
- Cough
- Trouble breathing
- Nausea
- Severe headaches
- Stiff muscles and neck
How is the Specimen Collected for
Fungal Infection Blood Test?
Following is the specimen collection
process for Fungal Infection Blood Tests:
Sample required: Blood
Process of obtaining blood sample in
adults:
- A band is wrapped around the arm, 3-4
inches above the collection site (superficial vein that lies within the elbow
pit)
- The site is cleaned with 70% alcohol in an
outward spiral, away from the zone of needle insertion
- The needle cap is removed and is held in
line with the vein, pulling the skin tight
- With a small and quick thrust, the vein is
penetrated using the needle
- The required amount of blood sample is
collected by pulling the plunger of the syringe out slowly
- The wrap band is removed, gauze is placed
on the collection site, and the needle is removed
- The blood is immediately transferred into
the blood container, which has the appropriate preservative/clot
activator/anti-coagulant
- The syringe and the needle are disposed
into the appropriate “sharp container” for safe and hygienic disposal
Preparation required: No special
preparation is needed prior to the test.
What is the Significance of the Fungal
Infection Blood Test Result?
A positive Fungal Infection Blood Test may indicate
a fungal infection. The species most commonly found in blood include:
- Candida albicans
- Histoplasma capsulatum
- Coccidioides immitis
- Cryptococcus neoformans
- Members of the order Mucorales
- Paracoccidioides brasiliensis
- Sporothrix schenckii
The laboratory test results are NOT to be
interpreted as results of a "stand-alone" test. The test results have
to be interpreted after correlating with suitable clinical findings and
additional supplemental tests/information. Your healthcare providers will
explain the meaning of your tests results, based on the overall clinical
scenario.
Additional and Relevant Useful
Information:
- Evolutionarily, fungi are very closely
related to humans. This makes fungal infections difficult to treat because the
number of specific ways a drug can target a fungus, but not a human, is limited
Certain medications that you may be
currently taking may influence the outcome of the test. Hence, it is important
to inform your healthcare provider of the complete list of medications
(including any herbal supplements) you are currently taking. This will help the
healthcare provider interpret your test results more accurately and avoid
unnecessary chances of a misdiagnosis.
- The candida albicans RNA PCR blood test identifies candida present in blood
The following article link will help you understand candida albicans RNA PCR blood test:
http://www.dovemed.com/common-procedures/procedures-laboratory/candida-albicans-rna-pcr-blood-test/
Please visit our Laboratory Procedures Center for more physician-approved health information:
http://www.dovemed.com/common-procedures/procedures-laboratory/
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