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Fungal PCR (Sendaway Test)

Alternative Names:Pan Fungal PCR
Laboratory:Microbiology
Test Code:FUP
Medicare rebatable:Yes
Specimen Types:Tissue
Bronchoalveolar Lavage
Bronchial Washings
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Container Types:
Plain 70mL pot
CSF Tube 3
Plain 70mL pot
Adults Volume or Mass:1 mL
Collection & Request Instructions:

Department head authorisation required. (ID consult team exempt).

Transport Instructions:Room Temperature

Check Fungal culture result PRIOR to sending sample.

DO NOT send if culture positive for filamentous fungi or yeast.

Processing Instructions:

PCR can be used to detect fungal DNA in a variety of clinical specimens including tissue, CSF, BAL and vitreous fluid. ICPMR does not perform Panfungal PCR on sputum and blood samples.

PCR can be used to identify fungi from pure culture. It is particularly helpful to identify risk group 3 pathogens, slow growing or poorly sporulating moulds.

Sample requirements:

Fresh tissue or 10x10um paraffin embedded tissue sections in a sterile container, 0.5 mL CSF, 1 mL BAL, 0.2 mL vitreous fluid.

Culture: pure fungal culture

Assay Frequency:Fortnightly
External Laboratory:Institute of Clin.Pathology & Medical Res. (ICPMR)
  External Laboratory details...
External Transport Instructions:Send at ambient temperature
Method:

Panfungal PCR assays have the potential to detect all fungal species in clinical specimens, but can be used also to identify a fungus isolated from culture. The assay performs best using fresh specimen, however, fungal DNA can be detected and identified in paraffin embedded tissue sections. For all types of specimens sensitivity is highest if fungal elements are visualised on microscopy. In all cases, PCR products are identified by DNA sequencing and comparison of the sequence with those in the GenBank database.

The assay is performed weekly on a Thursday with negative results available same day. Positive PCR results require DNA sequencing and are usually available 4 days after PCR. All positive results are phoned through to the requesting doctor. PCR results should be correlated with the patient's clinical status and the results of other diagnostic tests.

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